Pakistanis in Brunei celebrate their 60th Independence Day

Supreme Court of Pakistan building, Islamabad.

Pakistan is celebrating its 60th Independence Day on August 14 and like previous years Pakistanis in Brunei Darussalam are celebrating their Independence Day with passion and fervour.

A number of programmes and special activities have been organised in conjunction with this year's Independence Day by the Pakistan High Commission and Pakistani Community in the country.

This includes the flag hoisting at Pakistan High Commission, children colouring and quiz competition and a special community dinner and function in a leading hotel in the country.

It was in 1947 that Pakistan first became an independent country in the world after the partition of India into two separate countries. Situated in the heart of the South Asian sub-continent, Pakistan is a country with its own fascinating history and heritage with contrasting cultures, landscapes and geography.

The present Pakistan was once the site of one of the world's earliest human settlements, the great prehistoric Indus Valley Civilisation, the crucible of ancient empires, religions and cultures.

The history of these earliest human settlements can be traced back to 2,500 years BC when a highly developed civilisation flourished in the Indus Valley. Excavations at Harappa, Moenjodaro, Kot Diji and Mehr Garh have brought to light, the evidence of an advanced civilisation existing even in more ancient times

The capital of Pakistan is Islamabad which is the only planned city probably in the Indian Subcontinent. Islamabad is not only famous for its modern and pleasant symmetrical look but also for its natural beauty, lush greenery and beautiful parks.

The delightful riot of colours of flowering trees especially in spring with modern buildings and shopping markets give Islamabad a beautiful combination of nature, eastern civilisation, culture and modernisation.

Although Islamabad was built in 1963, it has thousands of years of history behind it. It is built on an area that has the imprints of one of the oldest civilisation in Asia namely the Indus Valley Civilisation.

Near Islamabad, is a site where there are stone implements made on mass scale which were sent down to the lower reaches of the Indus River.

The area was the first settlement of the Aryans from Central Asia and is on the route through which passed all those who invaded India from the north and Central Asia like Alexander, Ghengis Khan, Timor Lame, Achaemenians, Turks and many others.

The banks of river Soan in Islamabad were the host to the Stone Age man over 7,000 years ago and human skulls dating back to 5,000 BC have been found in and around Islamabad.

In addition to ancient cultures and civilisation, Pakistan is considered as one of the treasure houses of Muslim architecture especially at the city of Lahore in the province of Punjab.

Lahore has witnessed rise and fall of many Muslim dynasties like Gaznavis (1021-1186), Ghoris (1186-1202) and Slaves (1206-1524) before arrival of the Mughals. The city was conquered by Babur of Ferghana (now in Uzbe-kistan), the founder of the Mughal dynasty (1524-1764).

All the important monuments like the Royal Fort, Badshahi Mosque. Wazir Khan's Mosque, Tombs of Jehangir, Asaf Khan, Noor Jehan, Anarkali, the Shalimar Gardens and Hiran Minar among others, were constructed during this period.

On the other hand, the shrines, mosques and forts located in and around Multan and Bahawalpur are masterpieces of Muslim architecture.

Some important buildings are Forts at Multan and Derawar (Bahawalpur), shrines of Shaikh Bahauddin Zakaria, Shah Rukan-e-Alam, Hazrat Shams Tabrezi at Multan and Tomb of Bib Jiwandi at Uchh Sharif near Bahawalpur. - Courtesy: Pakistan High Commission

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin