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Arab News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan leaders mark Independence Day with calls for unity, hail ‘victory' in May conflict with India
KARACHI: Pakistan's civilian and military leaders marked the country's 78th Independence Day on Thursday by hailing what they described as a decisive victory against India in a brief military conflict earlier this year, using the anniversary to call for unity at home and reiterate support for disputed Kashmir. The South Asian nation, which has fought three major wars with India since partition in 1947, said it had downed six Indian jets in fighting through missiles, drones and artillery that raged between May 6 and 10 before ending through US mediation. Officials have since framed the confrontation — which Islamabad has dubbed Marka-e-Haq, or 'Battle of Truth' — as a moment of national resurgence. Pakistan, carved out of British India in 1947, has seen repeated bouts of political turmoil, economic instability and tense relations with its neighbor in the decades since. This year's Independence Day messages underscored how the May conflict has become a rallying point for its leaders to emphasize unity, resilience and renewed national confidence. 'Pakistan's great victory in Marka-e-Haq during the war imposed by India on 6-10th May 2025 has not only increased the significance of freedom, but has also enliven a new ambition and enthusiasm in the hearts of Pakistanis, which has amplified the joy and celebrations of the Independence Day,' Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a statement. 'The military capability, valour and faith of our brave soldiers and air warriors forced the enemy to kneel down … With same passion, we stand vigilant to defend and safeguard our national interests including water resources.' In a separate message, President Asif Ali Zardari also linked the country's birth anniversary to the May conflict. 'Our success in Marka-e-Haq … is a landmark moment in our history,' he said, calling it 'a demonstration of unshakable national will, professional excellence, and united purpose.' Zardari added that 'the world witnessed a nation that is peace-loving, but fully capable of defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity.' The president used his address to urge Pakistanis to channel 'the same discipline, courage, and clarity' into economic revival and social reform, saying recent military success should inspire efforts to eradicate poverty and strengthen institutions. Both leaders reiterated Pakistan's long-standing stance on Kashmir, which is disputed between India and Pakistan since 1947. 'India also needs to demonstrate the same will for the resolution of all disputes, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute,' Sharif said, while Zardari pledged diplomatic, moral, and political support to Kashmiris 'until their right to self-determination is realized.' In a joint message, the chiefs of Pakistan's army, navy and air force stressed that the 'unbreakable bond between the Armed Forces and the people is the cornerstone of our collective strength,' pledging to safeguard Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity and uphold the constitution.
Arab News
6 days ago
- Business
- Arab News
India conflict fires up Pakistan's Independence Day fervor, boosts flag sales
KARACHI: Pakistan's largest flag manufacturer, VIP Flags, is expecting around 50 percent growth in sales this year as the public marks the country's 78th Independence Day with unusual zeal, fueled by celebrations of victory in the May 2025 conflict with India. The two nuclear-armed neighbors, which have fought three major wars since 1947, engaged in their deadliest fighting in decades this May. The fighting ended on May 10 after US mediation, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's government declaring victory and saying it had downed at least six Indian fighter jets. Officials have since linked the conflict's outcome to the heightened national fervor surrounding August 14 this year, reflected in booming flag markets and sales of other Independence Day paraphernalia. 'Our business, all the businesses have grown 50 percent,' said VIP Flags CEO Nisar Ahmed Sheikh, adding that much of his stock had been sold to marchers rallying in support of Pakistan's armed forces during the war with India. VIP Flags manufactures flags for domestic customers, the armed forces, and international buyers in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and holds Guinness World Records for the largest flags made in 2004 and 2008. Sheikh said sales this year would likely run into millions of units. 'Obviously when people were filled with passion [after the war with India] and started hoisting flags, the flags business saw an uptick and increased compared to last year,' he told Arab News. 'It is still growing and people are putting flags on their cars, bicycles and motorcycles.' Sheikh said the surge in sales extended well beyond flags, with market vendors incorporating Independence Day themes into a wide range of products — from shirts, mufflers and headbands to shawls, dresses and children's clothing — creating a vibrant festive atmosphere. 'People must be spending billions of rupees on this (celebrations) and this spending boosts the economy,' the CEO said. In Pakistan's commercial hub of Karachi ahead of Aug. 14, large and small flags adorned vehicles, houses and office buildings, alongside buntings and night-time illuminations. Meanwhile, federal and provincial governments are holding daily events, with top officials like the prime minister and army chief expected to attend ceremonies in Islamabad on Aug. 13 and 14. 'The last time we saw such a show of national zeal on Independence Day was in Zia's time,' Sheikh said, referring to former military ruler Zia-ul-Haq. 'We see people decorating their houses, vehicles and vicinities with flags and buntings and badges.' Abdul Wahab, a finisher at one of Sheikh's factories, said he expected at least a 25 percent income increase this season. 'We are seeing a rush in the market because of this war we recently fought with India,' said the 26-year-old, who plans to work overtime to meet demand. For lawyer Bad-e-Saba, the occasion was a chance to pass on a message to the next generation. 'The war we recently won against Hindustan is a matter of great pride for us. We want to convey it to our children so they could know where we are standing against our enemy,' she said. 'We want to tell our enemies that we can take good care of our country and our next generation will do it better.'
