Chowk Yadgar comes alive in green and white as young generation reconnects with Pakistan Movement
PESHAWAR (APP): Draped in shimmering green and white lights, fluttering national flags and echoing with patriotic songs, the historic Chowk Yadgar has transformed into a vibrant symbol of Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations, drawing families, children and history enthusiasts eager to relive the spirit of the Pakistan Movement.
As evening descends, the iconic square near historic Balahisar fort glows under decorative illuminations while vendors sell miniature flags, badges and balloons as independence day celebrations gain pace in Peshawar.
Schools and streets children wave national flags with excitement, elderly citizens recount memories of the struggle for independence and young visitors capture photographs in front of the historic monument that once witnessed some of the most influential political gatherings before the creation of Pakistan.
For many children, the visit to famous monument is far more than a festive outing rather a journey into Pakistan’s history.
“I had only read about famous Chowk Yadgar in my school books,” said Ismail Khan, a third-grade student of a private school who visited the monument with his grandfather on Wednesday.
“Today I wanted to see the historic place visited by top Muslims political leaders with my own eyes. I feel immense proud to be here.”
Dressed in the colours of the national flag, the young student smiled as he held a small Pakistani flag, listening attentively while his grandfather narrated stories of the historic speeches delivered at the square during the freedom movement.
“My grandfather always tells me that our history should never be forgotten,” Ismail said. “Now when I return to school, I will tell my classmates that I have visited this historic place.”
Many parents said the Independence Day celebrations provided an opportunity to introduce their children to Pakistan’s history beyond textbooks.
“We bring our children here every year so they understand that freedom was achieved after great sacrifices,” said Misal Khan, a resident of Nowshera who visited Chowk Yadgar with his grandson Ismail Khan. “When children see these historic places themselves, history becomes more meaningful.”
The atmosphere remained festive as volunteers distributed small flags among visitors while youngsters chanted patriotic slogans. Elderly citizens paused to admire the illuminated monument, recalling how Chowk Yadgar once served as the political heartbeat of the region.
The historic square occupies a unique place in the Pakistan Movement. Before independence, it hosted large public meetings where leaders of the All-India Muslim League addressed thousands of people, mobilising support for the demand for a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent.
Speaking to APP, Professor Dr. Muhammad Naushad Khan, former Vice Chancellor of Islamia College University Peshawar, said such monuments played key role in education of younglings about the Two-Nation Theory that became the guiding light for millions of Indian Muslims, enabling them to achieve their legitimate right to freedom.
“Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s steadfast support for this principle made it the cornerstone of the Pakistan Movement,” he said.
Dr. Naushad explained that the ideological roots of the Two-Nation Theory could be traced to the mid-19th century. He said the Hindi-Urdu controversy of 1867 deepened political and cultural divisions, prompting Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to emphasize the distinct identity of Muslims and advocate educational, economic and political empowerment through the Aligarh Movement.
He said national poet Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s historic Allahabad Address in 1930 gave political expression to the idea of a separate Muslim state, while his correspondence with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah between 1936 and 1938 further reinforced the vision of an independent homeland.
According to Dr. Naushad, Quaid-e-Azam’s unwavering leadership transformed the All-India Muslim League into the principal representative of Indian Muslims despite strong political opposition.
“The great Quaid’s refusal to compromise on the Muslim rights cause ultimately proved decisive,” he said.
He also highlighted the significance of Quaid-e-Azam’s three historic visits to present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, saying they inspired the people of the province and strengthened public support for the Muslim League.
The overwhelming victory of the Muslims League in the 1946 provincial elections, he added, became a turning point that accelerated the momentum towards independence.
“Following that landslide victory of Muslim League, the independence movement became unstoppable in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa,” Dr. Naushad observed.
He said the Pakistan Resolution adopted on March 23, 1940, materialised within seven years when Pakistan emerged as an independent state on August 14, 1947.
“Fourteenth August is not merely Independence Day,” he said. “It marks the day when the Muslims of the subcontinent secured a homeland where they could live with dignity, religious freedom and cultural identity.”
As Independence Day approaches, Chowk Yadgar once again stands at the centre of public attention—not as a relic of the past, but as a living reminder of the aspirations, sacrifices and determination that culminated in the creation of Pakistan.
For young visitors like Ismail Khan, the illuminated monument has transformed history from words on a classroom page into a tangible experience, ensuring that the legacy of the Pakistan Movement continues to inspire a new generation.
