From streets to screens: How youth are redefining Independence Day

With a notebook in one hand and a pen in the other, young volunteers once began Independence Day preparations in neighbourhoods across Pakistan. Long before smartphones and social media became part of everyday life, August brought a flurry of activity to towns and cities across the country. Young volunteers went door to door, knocking on iron gates, accepting cups of green tea from neighbours and politely requesting small financial contributions. Every rupee collected was pooled to decorate streets with green-and-white flags, paper buntings and fairy lights. Over the years, however, Independence Day celebrations have undergone a dramatic transformation. Much of the preparation that once unfolded in neighbourhood streets has shifted to digital platforms. Today’s youth celebrate with high-definition videos, graphic designs, coordinated social media campaigns, customised green-and-white cars and bikes, patriotic fashion, jewellery and cinematic vlogs to express their love for the country. Where paper buntings once fluttered between rooftops, digital banners now trend across social media feeds. The celebrations have evolved with time, but the emotions behind them— pride, patriotism and a sense of belonging — remain unchanged. Whether through decorated streets in an old neighbourhood or a viral video viewed by millions, young Pakistanis continue to find new ways to honour the country’s independence. Muhammad Yasir, a government school teacher with two decades of experience, recalls a very different era of Independence Day celebrations. He remembers school grounds turning into bustling centres of activity weeks before August 14, with students making paper flags, rehearsing national songs and preparing neighbourhood displays. “Over the years, I have seen firsthand how young people have adapted the way they celebrate, ” Yasir said. “Earlier, children worked together, spending hours hanging lights across streets and decorating school halls. Today, they use technology to express the same feelings. The tools have changed, but their love for the country has not. ” Historians also point out that young people played a vital role in the Pakistan Movement. Students, writers and activists used the media of their time — newspapers, pamphlets, poetry and public rallies— to shape public opinion and mobilise support for a separate homeland. Today’s generation is carrying that legacy forward through digital platforms. By blending the sacrifices of 1947 with modern storytelling, young Pakistanis are helping keep the spirit of independence alive for a new generation. For 22-year-old content creator and vlogger Aaniat Khalid, Independence Day provides an opportunity to tell Pakistan’s story through a modern lens. She creates patriotic videos, behind-the-scenes vlogs and digital content that capture the spirit of the celebrations. “Social media has given our generation a global platform to express our love for Pakistan, ” she said. “We may celebrate differently from our parents and grandparents, but the passion is the same. Through digital storytelling, we can share our pride beyond our own streets and connect with audiences around the world. ” She believes technology has not replaced traditional celebrations but expanded them, giving young people new ways to explore their history, creativity and national identity. In a quiet suburban bedroom, 20-year-old digital artist Aafaq Ahmad carefully edits a patriotic video, adds motion graphics to a digital poster and prepares to upload his Independence Day campaign. For Aafaq, the celebrations no longer begin with buying string and paper flags from the local market but with a creative idea brought to life on a digital canvas. “Every generation leaves its own mark on how it expresses love for the homeland, ” he said. “Our celebrations look different because we use software and smartphones, but the emotion remains the same. Through visual design and social media, we hope to pass the spirit of freedom on to an even wider audience. ” Alongside content creators, many young entrepreneurs — particularly women — are using social media to sell patriotic jewellery, customised badges, digital artwork, themed clothing and handmade crafts. For many home-based businesses, the weeks leading up to Independence Day provide an opportunity to showcase creativity while building a customer base. Their online stores reflect a modern celebration culture where patriotism, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment go hand in hand. Social analyst and educationist Adnan Aamir said the changing style of Independence Day celebrations reflects broader social evolution. “Every generation expresses its connection with the country using the tools and technology available to it, ” he said. “Where patriotism was once displayed through collective efforts in neighbourhood streets, today’s youth express the same pride through digital media. ” He said the shift should be viewed as a natural evolution rather than a loss of tradition. “The essence of Independence Day lies in civic awareness, gratitude for history and a shared sense of belonging, ” he said. “Whether expressed through a green-lit street or a viral video, the message of national pride remains timeless. ” Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations continue to bridge generations — from yesterday’s door-to-door volunteers collecting donations for neighbourhood decorations to today’s digital creators reaching audiences across the world. While the platforms have changed, the spirit remains the same: pride in the nation and a commitment to its future. As the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, said: “With faith, unity and discipline, untiring endeavour and determination, there is nothing truly worthwhile that you cannot achieve. ” From neighbourhood streets to social media feeds, the Quaid’s vision continues to inspire Pakistan’s youth, keeping the spirit of August 14 alive.

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