On the special directives of the Honorable Chief Minister Gilgit-Baltistan, Mr. Amjad Hussain Azhar, the Department of Tourism & Culture, Government of Gilgit-Baltistan, organized a series of cultural, recreational and sports activities across Gilgit-Baltistan to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day with national spirit, enthusiasm and pride.
The Chief Minister had directed the Department of Tourism & Culture to ensure that Independence Day was celebrated across Gilgit-Baltistan in a befitting and grand manner, with maximum participation of youth, students, athletes and the general public.
In line with these directives, the Department of Tourism & Culture organized a diverse range of activities on 14th August, including national song competitions, cricket, cycling, polo and football activities, while the Gilgit-Baltistan Sports Board also facilitated and supported various sporting events in different districts. The activities were aimed at promoting patriotism, national unity, healthy recreational activities and a strong sense of belonging among the people, particularly the youth.
As part of the Independence Day celebrations, the Department of Tourism & Culture, in collaboration with Army Public School Jutial Gilgit, organized a National Songs Competition at the school auditorium. Students from Army Public School Jutial, Public School & College Jutial and various private educational institutions participated enthusiastically in the competition. The students showcased their talent through patriotic performances and expressed their love for Pakistan. Prizes and certificates were also distributed among the students who demonstrated outstanding performances.
Under the theme “Jashan-e-Azadi, Through Sports”, a number of sporting activities were launched at City Park Gilgit. The Under-13 Intra-Provincial T20 Cricket Tournament commenced as part of the Independence Day celebrations and will continue from 14th to 18th August. Teams representing all ten districts of Gilgit-Baltistan are participating in the tournament.
The cricket tournament was formally inaugurated by the Secretary Tourism & Culture Gilgit-Baltistan, Sardar Asad Haroon, who played the first ball at the City Park Cricket Ground. Representatives of the Department of Tourism & Culture, Sports Department and other relevant institutions were also present on the occasion.
An Independence Day Cycle Rally was also organized as part of the celebrations. The rally started from City Park Gilgit and proceeded through the KIU Road towards Karakoram International University. The rally was formally inaugurated by Secretary Tourism & Culture Gilgit-Baltistan, Sardar Asad Haroon. Children, youth, Gilgit-Baltistan Scouts, representatives of various institutions and members of the general public participated enthusiastically. Carrying national flags, the participants expressed their love for Pakistan and demonstrated a strong spirit of national unity and patriotism.
A special Football Training Camp for Under-17 players was also organized at the football ground of Hayat Shaheed Public School, Gilgit, in collaboration with the Gilgit-Baltistan Sports Board. The camp provided young football players with an opportunity to enhance their skills through structured training and encouraged the youth to engage in healthy, constructive and positive sporting activities.
The Independence Day celebrations were also extended to other districts of Gilgit-Baltistan through a range of sporting events. In District Astore, polo events were organized by the Gilgit-Baltistan Sports Board. In District Skardu, a Martial Arts and Taekwondo event was held, providing young athletes an opportunity to showcase their skills and talent. Similarly, a Futsal Tournament was organized in District Ghizer with the sponsorship and support of the Gilgit-Baltistan Sports Board. These activities further contributed to bringing the spirit of Independence Day to communities across the region and engaging young people in healthy and meaningful sporting activities.
A special Polo Match was also organized at the historic Royal Polo Ground Gilgit to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day. A large number of polo enthusiasts and spectators attended the event. The Home Secretary Gilgit-Baltistan attended the event as the Chief Guest, while Secretary Tourism & Culture Gilgit-Baltistan, Sardar Asad Haroon, participated as the Guest of Honour. The traditional sport of polo added colour, cultural richness and excitement to the Independence Day celebrations in Gilgit.
The series of activities organized by the Department of Tourism & Culture, in collaboration with the Gilgit-Baltistan Sports Board and other partner institutions, extended the Independence Day celebrations across different districts of Gilgit-Baltistan. The enthusiastic participation of children, students, youth, athletes, institutions and the general public reflected a strong sense of national pride, unity and patriotism.
The overall objective of these activities was to actively engage the younger generation in national celebrations, promote sports, culture and positive recreational activities, provide opportunities for young talent to flourish, and celebrate the joy of Pakistan’s Independence with a strong spirit of national unity and pride.
The Independence Day celebrations across Gilgit-Baltistan reflected the region’s deep love for Pakistan and reaffirmed the collective commitment to unity, peace, brotherhood, national pride and a prosperous future for the country.
14 August, 2026
11:31:21 PM
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