Government's Independence Day advertisement faces backlash for neglecting depictions of Quaid and Iqbal
In a surprising turn of events, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's official Independence Day advertisement in 2025 has sparked controversy due to the omission of images of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal. The advertisement, which aims to promote national unity for a just and equal Pakistan, features current political leaders and military figures instead.
The absence of these national heroes has drawn sharp criticism from political and social circles, who view it as a deliberate and shameful sidelining of Pakistan's founding fathers. Prominent critics such as Mushahid Hussain Syed and former federal minister Shireen Mazari have publicly condemned the omission, calling it a disgrace and a deliberate act.
The PTI party has further claimed that a similar omission occurred earlier on May 28, Pakistan's "Youm-e-Takbeer" (Day of Greatness), when government ads marking the country's nuclear capability did not include the image of the late nuclear scientist Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan. The PTI party's allegations imply a broader pattern of excluding historical figures from government-affiliated advertisements and celebrations.
Journalist Hussain Ahmad and former Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed have expressed surprise at the absence of both Jinnah and Iqbal in the advertisement, calling it "bizarre." Former federal minister Shireen Mazari described the omission of Jinnah's image as a "glaring oversight" by the information ministry. The PTI party's criticism of the advertisement's omission of historical figures extends to "Youm-e-Takbeer" ads as well.
The advertisement, which was published in major national newspapers and aired on television channels, also depicts cultural and minority representations. However, these efforts seem to have done little to quell the criticisms levelled against the advertisement. The PTI party's allegations suggest a pattern of excluding these historical figures from government-affiliated advertisements since August 1.
The omission of Jinnah and Iqbal's images has drawn criticism not only from political parties but also from journalists. The PTI party's allegations that the government deliberately excluded the portraits of Jinnah, Iqbal, and Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan from various advertisements has sparked a nationwide debate, with many questioning the government's priorities and the message conveyed on the nation's most important day.
[1] The News International, "Independence Day ad omits Quaid, Iqbal, sparks outrage," 14th August 2025. [2] Dawn, "Critics slam Independence Day ad for omitting Quaid, Iqbal," 14th August 2025. [3] Geo News, "PTI accuses govt of deliberately excluding Quaid, Iqbal from Independence Day ad," 14th August 2025. [4] Express Tribune, "Independence Day ad sparks controversy for omitting Quaid, Iqbal," 14th August 2025. [5] Samaa TV, "Independence Day ad under fire for omitting Quaid, Iqbal," 14th August 2025.
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