With the participation of the Azerbaijan Army and the Turkish Army contingents, Pakistan celebrates its 78th Independence Day on 14 August 2025 with the central Marka-e-Haq event in Islamabad. The official ceremony was held in the Jinnah Sports Stadium which started late on the 14th August and extended beyond midnight to 14 Aug.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, President Asif Ali Zardari, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir attended. The event included the unveiling of a digital Marka-e-Haq Monument, a tri-services military parade, fly-past, and fireworks. The Marka e Haq 2025 theme commemorates Pakistan’s military response in Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos earlier this year.
International Military Participation
The Azerbaijan Army joined the parade with its special forces and the Military Orchestra of the Heydar Aliyev Military Institute. The Turkish Army contingent also participate in the march-past. This marks the first joint appearance of both nations’ military units in the 14 August celebrations in Islamabad.
During the Marka-e-Haq event in Islamabad, the Prime Minister presented the Misaq-e-Istehkam-e-Pakistan charter, inviting political parties and civil society for national unity. He also announced the formation of a new Army Rocket Force Command to enhance Pakistan’s conventional defence capabilities.
Countries Extending Pakistan’s Independence Day Greetings
Pakistan has received 14 August 2025 Independence Day messages from China, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, Azerbaijan, UAE, Qatar, and Iran. The US through its Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, thanked Pakistan in its cooperation in counterterrorism and economic coordination.