Burj Khalifa turns white and green to mark Pakistan's Independence Day

Dubai's Burj Khalifa lights up with Pakistan's national flag on August 14, 2021 to mark Pakistan's 75th Independence Day. (Photo courtesy: Burj Khalifa)
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Updated 14 August 2021
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Burj Khalifa turns white and green to mark Pakistan's Independence Day

  • On Aug. 14, 1947, Pakistan achieved independence from British colonial rule
  • As Burj Khalifa turned white and green, Pakistan also launched its Dubai Expo 2020 pavilion campaign

ISLAMABAD: Dubai's Burj Khalifa lit up with Pakistan's national flag on Saturday evening, as the United Arab Emirates marked the South Asian's nation's Independence Day.

On Aug. 14, 1947, Pakistan achieved independence from British colonial rule when Britain partitioned the country into two independent dominions, Muslim Pakistan and majority Hindu India.

A video of the Burj Khalifa lit Pakistan's colors was shared on the world's tallest skyscraper's social media.

"Burj Khalifa commemorates Pakistan’s Independence Day, wishing the Republic peace and prosperity," its official Twitter handle said.

As the needle-shaped 828-meter super scraper turned white and green, Pakistan also launched its Dubai Expo 2020 pavilion campaign themed “Pakistan: The Hidden Treasure.”
 
"While crowd gathered at the fountain area of Burj Khalifa in the evening to see the Pakistan flag, and after the national anthem, they were surprised to witness a contemporary cultural performance," the Pakistan pavilion said in a statement.

"The Pakistan Pavilion is designed to leave a lasting impact on the visitors by inspiring them through a poetic narrative on the past, present and future revealing its rich history, culture and traditions, as well as the potential and possibilities for the future."

With the exhibition area of 35,000 square feet, Pakistan’s Expo 2020 pavilion was built with $14 million funding support from the UAE in the Opportunity District.

Expo 2020 was originally scheduled to open in October 2020 but had to be postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic. It will start on Oct. 1, 2021 and run through March 31, 2022, expecting to see at least 25 million participants and visitors from all over the world.


Daesh media chief for ISKP in Pakistan’s custody — state media

Updated 16 min 44 sec ago
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Daesh media chief for ISKP in Pakistan’s custody — state media

  • Sultan Aziz Azzam, a senior member of ISKP, used to head its Al Azzam media outlet, says state media
  • Azzam was arrested in May while attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan, says state media

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani authorities have taken into custody Sultan Aziz Azzam, the head of Daesh regional affiliate ISKP’s media outlet, state media reported on Thursday citing intelligence sources. 

The state-run Pakistan TV Digital reported that Azzam was a senior member of ISKP and hailed from Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. As per the state media report, he is also a graduate of the University of Nangarhar where he studied Islamic jurisprudence. 

Pakistan TV Digital reported Azzam joined ISKP in 2016 and later became a prominent member of its leadership council.

“He was arrested in May 2025 while attempting to cross from Afghanistan into Pakistan,” Pakistan TV Digital reported, citing intelligence sources. 

“He is believed to have overseen media operations and headed ISKP’s Al Azzam media outlet.”

In November 2021, Washington listed Azzam as a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” (SDGT). The move bars American citizens from engaging in transactions with persons designated as SDGTs. 

According to a report on the UN Security Council’s website, Azzam has played an “instrumental role” in spreading Daesh’s violent ideology, glorifying and justifying “terrorist acts.” 

“Building on his former experience as an Afghan journalist, his activity as ISIL-K’s spokesperson has increased ISIL-K’s visibility and influence among its followers,” the report states. 

The report further states Azzam claimed responsibility on behalf of Daesh for the suicide attack near Hamid Karzai International Airport on Aug. 26, 2021, which killed at least 170 Afghans and 13 US service members and injured 150 more. 

The development takes place amid tense relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad alleging militants use Afghan soil to carry out attacks against Pakistan. Kabul denies the allegations.

Tensions surged in October when Pakistan and Afghanistan engaged in fierce border clashes, claiming to have killed dozens of soldiers of the other side.

Pakistan has urged the Afghan Taliban-led government to take “decisive action” against militants it says operate from its soil. Afghanistan says it cannot be held responsible for Pakistan’s security challenges.