ISLAMABAD: Pakistanis took to the streets of major cities on Wednesday to celebrate the country’s 73rd Independence Day which is marked on August 14 every year.
The South Asian country of 208 million people faces several challenges ahead, some of which have taken a toll on the living standards and economic stability of the population as it copes with a current account deficit, ballooning debt, political turmoil, rocketing inflation, and the latest, annexation of the disputed territory of Indian-administered Kashmir.
People displayed a positive attitude and patriotic fervor as they spoke to Arab News on what freedom meant to them, 73 years after the partition of 1947.
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Pakistan celebrates 73 years of independence
Pakistan celebrates 73 years of independence
- It was festivities galore as residents exuberated positivity in dealing with challenges ahead
- Several expressed unity with the people of Indian-administered Kashmir
Pakistan, Afghanistan border clashes kill 5, officials say
- Afghanistan and Pakistan trade blame for “unprovoked firing” along Chaman-Spin Boldak border
- Exchange takes place nearly a week after a fresh round of peace talks between neighbors failed
KABUL: Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their border late on Friday, officials from both countries said, killing at least five people amid heightened tensions following failed peace talks last weekend.
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces launched attacks in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province.
His deputy Hamdullah Fitra told Reuters that shelling by Pakistan killed five people, including a Taliban member.
A spokesman for Pakistan’s prime minister said Afghan forces carried out “unprovoked firing” along the Chaman border.
“Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens,” spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement.
The exchange came nearly a week after a new round of peace talks between the South Asian neighbors ended without a breakthrough, although both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire.
The talks in Saudi Arabia last weekend were the latest in a series of meetings hosted by Qatar, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia to cool tensions following deadly border clashes in October.
At the heart of the dispute, Islamabad says Afghan-based militants have carried out recent attacks in Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals. Kabul denied the charge, saying it could not be held responsible for security inside Pakistan.
Dozens were killed in October’s clashes, the worst violence on the border since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021.
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