Pakistan Independence Day celebrations

By Caleb Francis

Aug 17, 2023

National pride: Pakistani Association of the Goulburn Valley event organiser Usam Umer, treasurer Azhar Mirza, president Bahramand Khan and general secretary Kamran Malik. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

The Goulburn Valley’s Pakistani community celebrated the 76th Independence Day of Pakistan on Sunday, August 13, with a gathering of families and residents from across the region.

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Organised by the Pakistani Association of the Goulburn Valley, the event was filled with colour, music, speeches and delectable food, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan.

“We’ve got all of the Pakistani families here,” association general secretary Kamran Malik said.

“They will, of course, be enjoying the day and the food.

“But before that, we will be doing some songs, speeches and poems in our national language, Urdu.”

Close together: Rayyan Mirza, 14, Moin Ali, 15, Usman Hassan, 13, and Muhammad Mujtaba, 7. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Mr Malik said around 35 to 40 families from various areas, including Shepparton, Yarrawonga, Echuca and Albury, were part of the celebration.

“Independence Day is about when the subcontinent was divided into India and Pakistan. We celebrate on the 14th of August, and India celebrates on the 15th of August,” he said.

“But due to it being a working day tomorrow, we organised it today, Sunday.”

Mr Malik said the day was about family and community.

“The people are happy, excited and wearing green where they can,” he said.

Patriotism: Muhammad Irfan during the Pakistani national anthem. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

Association president Bahramand Khan also spoke about the joy of celebrating Independence Day in a free country.

“Today is an opportunity for us to come together and think about why independence and freedom are so important and why we are in this free country,” he said.

“That’s one thing that everyone is thankful for.

“We celebrate independence here (in Australia) because this country has given us the opportunity to celebrate and express our freedom, and it’s a good opportunity and social gathering for the families and kids and all the community members.”

The event was filled with the spirit of patriotism, a mix of traditional songs, speeches, and poems in Urdu as well as the Australian and Pakistani national anthems.