Pakistan has recently celebrated its 78th Independence Day nation was thrilled with true patriotic sprit. Cities were adorned with green and white, skies illuminated with fireworks, and everywhere there was a wave of joy. Government allocated a substantial budget on these activities to uplift the national morale.
However, in stark contrast, during the month of August the regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) and Karachi have witnessed relentless monsoon rains resulting in devastating floods and huge destruction of infrastructure and thousands of people were abandoned of their homes and struggled to save their lives.
In this period we can observe a bifurcation among the people of Pakistan one side is joyous and celebrating Independence Day vividly by enchanting slogans and national song but the other side individuals are seeking help to rescue their lives out of the Cloudburst particularly in Buner, Babusar Top, Naran, Sawat which approximately resulted into more than 100 mm in an hour rainfall in KPK , led flash floods swept through villages in Charsadda, Swat and Nowshera, Sawabi leaving thousands displaced. According to the Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), more than 300 people have died across KPK in August alone.
The Economic center yet been ignored Karachi after observing monsoons in couple of weeks has reported dozens of casualties from electrocution, collapsed houses, and waterborne diseases. Hospitals in Karachi, already stretched, reported a rise in patients suffering from diarrhea, dengue, and skin infections due to contaminated floodwaters.
Economists and social workers have criticized the imbalance, arguing that state resources could have been redirected toward relief efforts. “Independence is not only about celebrating the past—it should mean protecting citizens in the present,” said Dr. Samina Khalid, a development expert. “We cannot justify extravagant displays when thousands remain homeless.”
Government officials, however, defended the celebrations, saying they uplift national morale during difficult times. But for flood victims, morale remains fragile. Volunteers from local NGOs, rather than the state, have provided much of the immediate relief. In Peshawar, university students organized donation drives, collecting food, water, and clothing for families marooned in nearby districts.
As Pakistan marked its 78th year of independence, the dual reality was undeniable: in one part of the country, citizens danced under fireworks; in another, families prayed under dark, rain-filled skies. For those left stranded by the floods, freedom remains less about celebration and more about survival.
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