August 14, 2013: Independence Day and a day of reality check

Come Independence Day and a wide range of emotions and experiences come to mind along with a wide variety of perceptions and feelings. While some feel proud, there are those who may feel they have not lived up to their potential as proud Pakistanis and still others … The fashion fraternity has its own visions and dreams come Aug 14, and when Images on Sunday approached them to find out what it really means to be Pakistani, here’s what they had to say…

Amir Adnan (fashion designer): “The Independence Day for any nation should be marked by the progress it has made over its age of liberation. The stupendous growth of the fashion industry in Pakistan over the last few years is an indication of creative prowess of our people which in turn is reflective of self-confidence. I see us coming of age and taking pride in our performance. My best prayers for the people of Pakistan.”

Nabila (entrepreneur, stylist & make-up artist): “As a patriotic Pakistani I feel very bullish about the opportunities available to us. As observed, the fashion industry is progressing as a trade rather than a frivolous activity, resulting in prosperity and media attention. We need to stand united and put our best foot forward more than ever before. Not just on Aug 14, but every single day.”

Honey Waqar (couture queen of Pakistan): “Let’s start by saying that I hope Pakistan develops every day and our flag always keeps flying high. Believing in Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah’s words ‘Unity, Faith & Discipline’, I interpret it as the fashionable attitude. Pakistan zindabad!”

Khawar Riaz: (renowned stylist, fashion photographer & make-up artist): “The difference is we not only incorporate fashion in clothing but also want to better and stylise lifestyles and always strive for an idealistic outcome for the better. As a fashion person I always thought that this country has all the ingredients of a prosperous nation then why aren’t things getting better? The answer is we ourselves are not right and we need to shape up our act and make it better. We shouldn’t celebrate independence instead we should promise every Aug 14 that by the next year we will improve, manage, stylise and make this country better. That is true ‘independence’ for us.

”The fashion industry is thought to be a very superficial and fantasy-clad, unaware of the real world. Whereas in reality such people are ultra-sensitive and have a critical approach towards life.”

Rezz Aly Shah (fashion director, PR and event coordinator): “Aug 14 is a special day for Pakistanis as it symbolises hope, freedom and happiness along with the current status quo. One can only hope that as a nation we stand together and make it happen for our motherland, and make a brighter future for ourselves. Also, happy birthday to my late father who shared this special day with the nation.”

Iraj Manzoor (fashion model): “For me this day does not mean chanting patriotic slogans, meeting people over a cup of coffee or getting glued to watch the same old clichéd TV programmes. It’s more of an internal journey which involves a promise that I would try to be better every day in helping, loving and changing my land for its betterment, bit by bit in my own limited means and resources. On a lighter note, I stand next to my beloved flag, listen to the national anthem and simply say ‘thank you’.”

Tehmina Khaled (event & PR person): “Being a working woman, this day has always had a great significance in my life. Whatever I am today I am because of Pakistan. As a former editor of a weekly magazine, I always planned the azadi issue by conducting different editorial shoots and features. Great fun! Now I do events and I love the way designers plan to launch special collections for this day. Green and white outfits/accessories and sounds of milli naghmay brings in this great sense of belonging and love for this great country. And yes, it is my duty as a parent to cultivate the same feeling in the hearts of my boys, so that they take pride in being Pakistanis. They should love it, utilise their energy and resources to build Pakistan.”

Adnan Pardesy (fashion designer): “Independence Day means a lot for a patriotic soul like me. I am who I am because of Pakistan and no matter what happens here — bomb blasts, killings, serious economic crises, religious extremism, corrupt politicians — I will continue to love Pakistan. Things are on the verge of a breakdown and its heartbreak everyday, but this is still my country. At the moment there may not be much to celebrate, but individually if we can only learn to take responsibility for our actions can we change and emerge as a better nation. Here’s hoping and praying for a better tomorrow as a nation. Happy Independence Day.”

Abbas Jafri (fashion model): “It’s not just one day that you show your love and dedication to your country. It is a moment of pride for me and an honour to represent my motherland on various forums. Aug 14 brings back fond memoirs of the national songs I used to sing during my school years. A personal favorite is Yeh Watan Tumhara Hai by the late Mehdi Hassan.”

Nadia Hussain (fashion model): “Aug 14 always reminds me of special celebrations in my school, milli naghmay being prepared weeks in advance, festive, happy moments, lectures being given on Pakistan’s history and general overall excitement regarding the day.

“Sadly, children today don’t realise or fully understand the significance of Aug 14. Most schools are also not bothered about preparing kids for special functions, least of all inform them about the reason why Aug 14 is a holiday! I feel that nowadays the day comes and goes almost like any other day.”

Arshad Siddiqui (organiser of Karachi Fashion Week, Islamabad Fashion Week & Pakistan Media Awards): “Aug 14 dawns as an all-important day for each and every Pakistani. The basic ideology was to make a nation to strengthen the people living in it, irrespective of their religious beliefs, and where they would have the liberty to follow their respective religious beliefs.

“Pakistan’s textile industry was one-of-its-kind at the time of Independence and was recognised all over the world. Now, thankfully TDAP is promoting Pakistan’s exports which will eventually help the nation to grow and stand firm. For our part, the IPFC (International Pakistan Fashion Council) aims to strengthen the fashion industry by promoting trade through exhibitions and trends. Pakistan paindabad!”