Why Pakistan celebrates Independence Day on August 14, not 15?

Here's why Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day on August 14 when the country actually got Independence on August 15.

Pakistan flag — Cover of a press release; "Independence Anniversary Series" by the Press Information Department of Pakistan, in 1948 in relation to the country's first independence day which was celebrated on 15 August 1948.Creative Commons

Millions of people in India and Pakistan are now gearing up to celebrate their Independence Day. But have you ever wondered why Pakistan celebrates their Independence Day on August 14 when India celebrates the same on August 15? Even though many people argue that Pakistan got their Independence on August 14, the real fact is that separate states of both India and Pakistan were created same time at the midnight on August 15, 1947.

Even Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the father of Pakistan during his first speech on national radio said that the country has achieved Independence on August 15. And both Pakistan and India celebrated the first Independence Day on August 15 in 1948 officially.

"August 15 is the birthday of the independent and sovereign state of Pakistan. It marks the fulfillment of the destiny of the Muslim nation which made great sacrifices in the past few years to have its homeland," said Jinnah during the speech.

It should be also noted that Pakistan's first commemorative postage stamp which were released in July 1948 also mentioned August 15 as the country's Independence Day.

India-Pakistan flags [Representational Image]reuters

So, why is it that Pakistan celebrates its Independence Day on August 14? Lets check it out.

Mountbatten's scheduling of events

Pakistan was actually created via an act of the Westminster parliament better known as the Indian Independence Act, promulgated on July 18, 1947. The act clearly states that two independent Dominions, India and Pakistan will be set up on August 15, 1947.

Lord Mountbatten, being the Viceroy of British India should attend the Independence Day celebrations of both India and Pakistan. Since India had decided to hold the Independence Day celebrations on the midnight of August 15, Mountbatten decided to deliver the speech to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 14 instead, and it was at this moment that the date was initially changed on record.

Even though Pakistan's Independence was dated August 15 on documents, Lord Mountbatten's busy schedule made Pakistan authorities to eventually celebrate their Independence Day on August 14.

The indisputable Ramzan factor

Another reason which made Pakistan celebrate Independence day on August 14 was the festival. As August 14, 1947 was the 27th day of Ramzan, which is considered an auspicious month and date by Muslims. Hence, prominent leaders in Pakistan discussed and decided to celebrate the Independence Day on August 14, a day before the actual date.