Last night was a historic for me. I celebrated Paksitan's independence day in Pakistan! I purposely delayed my flight back to Canada by a few days just so I can celebrate this day with my fellow brothers and sisters. What a night it was! After dinning at Lal Qila (a restaurant thats a Mughal-inspired castle) we headed to the streets. I had my Pakistan flag wrapped around me and celebrated like the rest of the Pakistanis. Celebrations were occuring in all parts of Karachi but the area we went to was surrounded by thousands and THOUSANDS of people! Never have i seen so many! However, it seemed to be more of an MQM (a political party) rally than anything else. There were more MQM flags than Pakistani flags. People were chanting and singing and really making the most of the day. Flags were everywhere-on motorcycles, cars, and bicycles. Little children were also proudly waving their flags. Men had their flags wrapped around their heads. Many were dancing on the streets while blarring loud Pakistani music. Merriment was in the air. With all my years in Canada, independence day celebrations in Pakistan has got to be the best I have ever experienced!

However, a question, actually many questions, were disturbing me. Even though we are celebrating Pakistan's independence, are we really independent? With all the outside influence, do we really have autonomy? Would the founder of Pakistan really be proud of the state Pakistan is right now? Is this what he had imagined Pakistan to be. I dont know...I feel that Qaed-e-Azam would not be happy right now if he were alive. Sure we have come along way, but we have even longer to go. So sure I am celebrating Pakistan's independence but my spirit is not there and it wont be there until we really earn our independence.....