By Aamna MahboobPakistan’s freedom history started when the last Mughal Emperor lost his kingdom to Britain.
The story dates back to the period when Hindus and Muslims united to get freedom from Britain in 1857. The Mughal Emperor who did not get enough support lost and was exiled to Rangoon. He wrote poetry during his days in exile.
The British became masters of the Indian Sub-continent where for nearly 800 years Muslims had ruled. However, their attitude towards the Muslims was that of antipathy.
"The Muslims of India are and have been, for many years, a source of chronic danger to the British power in India," was the British opinion.
The British attributed the war of 1857 to the Muslims alone. As a result, property belonging to Muslims was confiscated and they were denied employment opportunities everywhere. This included the army, revenue department, and the judiciary.
After about a century-long struggle for independence, the Muslims of Indian subcontinents were able to get a separate piece of land, to live their lives and mould their culture according to their religious teaching. The country Pakistan, was born on August 14, 1947 under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The word ‘Pakistan’ was coined by Chaudhary Rahmat Ali, deriving the first letter of the names of those regions that make up this nation - P - Punjab, A- Afghan Border States, K- Kashmir, S- Sind and TAN for Baluchistan.
Even after 1947, Pakistan remained a dominion for nine years. It was only on March 23, 1956 that the country was declared an Islamic Republic. East Pakistan broke away and declared a separate land of the Republic of Bangladesh in 1971. Today, the nation comprises the major provinces of Sind, Baluchistan, Punjab and the North West Frontier Province along with the Federal Capital and other tribal areas.
The High Commissioner of Pakistan, Bashir Wali Mohmand commenting on the diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka said, “Friendship of Pakistan and Sri Lanka is time tested”.
He reminded that Pakistan has always supported independence and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
“The Government and the people of Pakistan hope that permanent peace would return to this beautiful paradise bringing an era of economic development for its entire people”, he said.
“Sri Lanka can always count on Pakistan’s friendship and cooperation as it moves forward on the path of peace and progress,” he added.
The High Commissioner also made it a point to once again thank Sri Lanka for the generous assistance given to earthquake victims of Pakistan.
There are only two countries which based on Ideology of Religion – and they are, Israel and Pakistan.
Many Buddhist religious sites which are still not known to Sri Lankan people are in Pakistan. These include Taxila, Takht Bhai, and Dir Swat. An interesting point is that Pakistani archeologists claim that as in Sri Lanka, there is also another tooth relic with them.
The Independence Day, is one of the most memorable days in the calendar of Pakistan.
Children decorate their schools with colourful decorations and flags fly on top of each house. Students make speeches about the old history and draw pictures of old historical places.
At home, relatives prepare sweets for children and their friends. Concerts are held with the participation of many pop and classical singers.
“Away from motherland, I miss the Independence Day and the way we celebrate it in Pakistan. Special TV programmes, get-together of friends, dramas in our schools which every child likes to take part in and mothers making delicious food at home,” a young Pakistani girl living in Sri Lanka, Parveen Iqbal said.
She said she feels Sri Lanka is her second homeland, after Pakistan.
“I am so proud that my motherland is celebrating its 59th year since Independence. I pray for my country – that it will have a long life and a fast developing economy”, she added.
Pakistan has an estimated population of over 166 million inhabitants in 2006. Besides, an approximated four million Pakistanis live abroad, with close to half-a-million expatriates living in the United States and around a million living in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan is a multi-cultural country and has four widely spoken languages: Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, and Pashto. However, Urdu is the Nationl Language of Pakistan and English is the offical language.
Shalwar Kameez, Sherwani, Achkan, and Kaakul (hat) are the garbs worn by Pakistanis in general. They come in many different styles, fabrics, colours and patterns that make them look really stylish. Pakistani women also wear the Shalwar Qameez, with designs of different Dupatta.
The Sherwani or Achkan, with a Karakuli hat is the national dress of Pakistan for men, as it is not specifically associated with any of the provinces.
The President of the Pakistan - Sri Lanka Friendship Association, Dr. A.A Haroon who received his education in Medicine in Pakistan said that a good number of students from Sri Lanka are studying science and medicine in different institutes in Pakistan. “Under the Jinnah scholarship scheme, a considerable number of students have been getting stipends to continue their higher studies in Sri Lanka,” Dr. Haroon said.
Congratulating Pakistani people on their 59th anniversary of independence, Dr. Haroon said the proverb, ‘a friend in need is friend indeed’ suitably fits Pakistan, given the assistance that Pakistan has made available to Sri Lanka for decades.
The story dates back to the period when Hindus and Muslims united to get freedom from Britain in 1857. The Mughal Emperor who did not get enough support lost and was exiled to Rangoon. He wrote poetry during his days in exile.
The British became masters of the Indian Sub-continent where for nearly 800 years Muslims had ruled. However, their attitude towards the Muslims was that of antipathy.
"The Muslims of India are and have been, for many years, a source of chronic danger to the British power in India," was the British opinion.
The British attributed the war of 1857 to the Muslims alone. As a result, property belonging to Muslims was confiscated and they were denied employment opportunities everywhere. This included the army, revenue department, and the judiciary.
After about a century-long struggle for independence, the Muslims of Indian subcontinents were able to get a separate piece of land, to live their lives and mould their culture according to their religious teaching. The country Pakistan, was born on August 14, 1947 under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The word ‘Pakistan’ was coined by Chaudhary Rahmat Ali, deriving the first letter of the names of those regions that make up this nation - P - Punjab, A- Afghan Border States, K- Kashmir, S- Sind and TAN for Baluchistan.
Even after 1947, Pakistan remained a dominion for nine years. It was only on March 23, 1956 that the country was declared an Islamic Republic. East Pakistan broke away and declared a separate land of the Republic of Bangladesh in 1971. Today, the nation comprises the major provinces of Sind, Baluchistan, Punjab and the North West Frontier Province along with the Federal Capital and other tribal areas.
The High Commissioner of Pakistan, Bashir Wali Mohmand commenting on the diplomatic ties between Pakistan and Sri Lanka said, “Friendship of Pakistan and Sri Lanka is time tested”.
He reminded that Pakistan has always supported independence and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.
“The Government and the people of Pakistan hope that permanent peace would return to this beautiful paradise bringing an era of economic development for its entire people”, he said.
“Sri Lanka can always count on Pakistan’s friendship and cooperation as it moves forward on the path of peace and progress,” he added.
The High Commissioner also made it a point to once again thank Sri Lanka for the generous assistance given to earthquake victims of Pakistan.
There are only two countries which based on Ideology of Religion – and they are, Israel and Pakistan.
Many Buddhist religious sites which are still not known to Sri Lankan people are in Pakistan. These include Taxila, Takht Bhai, and Dir Swat. An interesting point is that Pakistani archeologists claim that as in Sri Lanka, there is also another tooth relic with them.
The Independence Day, is one of the most memorable days in the calendar of Pakistan.
Children decorate their schools with colourful decorations and flags fly on top of each house. Students make speeches about the old history and draw pictures of old historical places.
At home, relatives prepare sweets for children and their friends. Concerts are held with the participation of many pop and classical singers.
“Away from motherland, I miss the Independence Day and the way we celebrate it in Pakistan. Special TV programmes, get-together of friends, dramas in our schools which every child likes to take part in and mothers making delicious food at home,” a young Pakistani girl living in Sri Lanka, Parveen Iqbal said.
She said she feels Sri Lanka is her second homeland, after Pakistan.
“I am so proud that my motherland is celebrating its 59th year since Independence. I pray for my country – that it will have a long life and a fast developing economy”, she added.
Pakistan has an estimated population of over 166 million inhabitants in 2006. Besides, an approximated four million Pakistanis live abroad, with close to half-a-million expatriates living in the United States and around a million living in Saudi Arabia.
Pakistan is a multi-cultural country and has four widely spoken languages: Punjabi, Sindhi, Balochi, and Pashto. However, Urdu is the Nationl Language of Pakistan and English is the offical language.
Shalwar Kameez, Sherwani, Achkan, and Kaakul (hat) are the garbs worn by Pakistanis in general. They come in many different styles, fabrics, colours and patterns that make them look really stylish. Pakistani women also wear the Shalwar Qameez, with designs of different Dupatta.
The Sherwani or Achkan, with a Karakuli hat is the national dress of Pakistan for men, as it is not specifically associated with any of the provinces.
The President of the Pakistan - Sri Lanka Friendship Association, Dr. A.A Haroon who received his education in Medicine in Pakistan said that a good number of students from Sri Lanka are studying science and medicine in different institutes in Pakistan. “Under the Jinnah scholarship scheme, a considerable number of students have been getting stipends to continue their higher studies in Sri Lanka,” Dr. Haroon said.
Congratulating Pakistani people on their 59th anniversary of independence, Dr. Haroon said the proverb, ‘a friend in need is friend indeed’ suitably fits Pakistan, given the assistance that Pakistan has made available to Sri Lanka for decades.
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