A Celebration of Resilience, Unity, and Shared Purpose

USPA NEWS - Today, on Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, we gather not only to celebrate the birth of a nation but to reaffirm the values, sacrifices, and aspirations that gave life to our homeland in 1947.

For Pakistanis across the world, this is not merely an anniversary marked on the calendar; it is a living reminder of our shared history, our enduring resilience, and our responsibility to build a brighter future.

For those of us in the United Kingdom, especially within the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora, this day carries a dual meaning. It connects us to our ancestral soil, steeped in history and struggle, and calls upon us to honour that connection through service, unity, and the promotion of justice.

“Independence is not just a gift from the past, it is a responsibility for the future.”

The independence of Pakistan was not gifted; it was earned through immense sacrifice, vision, and unity.

Our founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, famously declared:
“With faith, discipline, and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.”

The Pakistan Movement brought together people of all walks of life — scholars, farmers, business leaders, religious thinkers, and everyday citizens — united by the belief that they deserved dignity, safety, and the right to determine their own future.

It is vital that our younger generations — whether in Pakistan, Kashmir, or the diaspora — understand this truth: independence was born from collective effort, and its preservation depends on collective responsibility.

Since 1947, Pakistan has faced its share of challenges — political instability, natural disasters, economic hurdles, and social struggles. Yet each challenge has revealed a deeper truth about our people: we endure, we adapt, we stand back up.

From building a nation’s infrastructure in the early years to becoming a nuclear power, from producing world-class cricketers to advancing in science, technology, and the arts — Pakistan’s achievements are many, realised despite the odds.

For the diaspora, our pride extends beyond Pakistan’s borders. We have watched our compatriots excel in education, business, politics, and community service here in the U.K. and beyond.

As Chairman of the U.K. Pakistani Kashmiri Councillors Forum, I have seen first-hand the enormous contributions our community makes to British society.

We are councillors, lawyers, teachers, doctors, business owners, charity workers, and volunteers. We contribute to the economy, enrich the cultural fabric of the U.K., and uphold the values of hard work and integrity.

Our young people should never feel their identity is divided. Rather, they should see it as doubled — blessed with the best of both worlds: the democratic freedoms and opportunities of Britain, and the deep cultural, historical, and spiritual heritage of Pakistan and Kashmir.

“We are a living bridge between our homeland and our adopted home.”

No reflection on Pakistan’s independence is complete without acknowledging the ongoing plight of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

For decades, Kashmiris have faced unimaginable hardships, their basic human rights denied, their voices suppressed.

Our call is not for division, but for dignity. Not for conflict, but for a just and peaceful resolution that respects the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, in line with international law and the promises made to them. As members of the diaspora, it is our duty to keep the plight of Kashmir alive in the world’s conscience — through advocacy, awareness, and principled engagement with governments and institutions. The Pakistani and Kashmiri communities in the U.K. are diverse — in region, language, and sometimes political opinion. Yet our shared history, faith, and values bind us together. We cannot afford to be divided by regionalism or personal rivalries. Our forebears won independence through unity; our generation must protect it the same way. Our young people are our most valuable asset. We must invest in their education, equip them with skills, and encourage them to engage in public life. Our sons and daughters should feel empowered to stand for office, lead community projects, and become ambassadors for Pakistan and Kashmir on the global stage.

History should inspire them, not just sit in textbooks.”
One of the noblest ways we can honour Pakistan’s independence is by serving the communities we live in today.
I have been deeply moved by the way our community rallies in times of crisis — raising funds after floods in Pakistan, delivering food parcels during the COVID-19 pandemic, or helping a neighbour in need here in Britain.

Service knows no borders. When we help others, we uphold the same principles that gave birth to Pakistan.

Pakistan’s story is still being written.

For Pakistan to prosper, we need good governance, strong institutions, and a citizenry that values honesty and accountability. From Lahore to the valleys of Kashmir, Karachi to Azad Jammu and Kashmir — and across the diaspora — we must commit ourselves to building a future worthy of the sacrifices of 1947.

On this Independence Day, let us recommit to Pakistan’s founding motto: Faith, Unity, Discipline. Faith — in God, in justice, and in the resilience of our people. Unity — across regions, languages, and generations. Discipline — in our conduct, service, and pursuit of the common good. Pakistan was born from the dreams of millions and the sacrifices of the brave. Let us be worthy heirs to that vision — here in the U.K., in Pakistan, and across the world. Pakistan Zindabad. Kashmir Paindabad. Said: Mr. Liaquat Ali ( MBE)is Chairman of the U.K. Pakistani Kashmiri Councillors Forum, Chairman British Muslim Mayors Association U.K. a long-serving community leader, and an advocate for social justice, equality, and the rights of the Kashmiri people. Based in the United Kingdom, he works tirelessly to strengthen ties between the U.K. and Pakistan while promoting unity within the diaspora. ( Non Paid collaboration )