NATHIAGALI: Amid a dramatic play of sunshine, clouds and intermittent rain over the Galiyat hills, tourists and families from across Pakistan flocked to Nathiagali and Thandiani to celebrate Independence Day in a unique blend of patriotism, family recreation and mountain tourism.
For 32-year-old statistics lecturer Sundas Omar, August 14 was more than a date on the calendar. It was an occasion to celebrate her identity, pride and love for Pakistan against the serene backdrop of the country’s northern mountains.
With her car decorated in the green and white colours of the national flag and patriotic songs playing from the sound system, Sundas and her family first headed towards Thandiani Top. After performing Fajr prayers, they began their journey early in the morning and reached the destination after around five hours.
The journey was marked by constantly changing weather, with sunshine giving way to dark clouds and occasional rainfall. Upon arrival, Sundas began setting up a campsite on the damp ground as her daughters enjoyed patriotic songs including Dil Dil Pakistan.
“We started our journey towards Thandiani after performing Fajr prayer and reached here in about five hours amid a hide-and-seek between the sun and black clouds, sometimes accompanied by rainfall,” she said.
“Instead of disturbing us, the changing weather doubled our joy before Pakistan’s birthday.”
For Sundas and her family, the journey itself became part of their Independence Day celebration. They selected Thandiani and Nathiagali for camping because of their spectacular views of distant mountain ranges and the lush valleys stretching towards Kashmir and Murree.
Located at around 2,700 metres above sea level, Thandiani is known for its cool climate, pine forests, hiking trails and panoramic mountain scenery. The destination has increasingly attracted domestic tourists seeking a peaceful alternative to more crowded hill stations.
Wearing a green shirt and traditional Peshawari chappal, Sundas’s husband, Omar Khan, was equally enthusiastic about the Independence Day celebrations.
“Pakistan has given us identity, prestige and honour. Our identity as Pakistanis is something we must cherish and protect,” he said.
“I celebrate Pakistan’s birthday like my own birthday. Independence is a great blessing from Almighty Allah, and we should cherish it with enthusiasm.”
Patriotism Beyond Flags and Songs
For the family, however, patriotism should extend beyond flag-hoisting ceremonies and national songs.
Omar said Independence Day was a reminder of the sacrifices made by the country’s founders and should inspire citizens to contribute positively throughout the year.
“Every year, August 14 reminds us of the supreme sacrifices rendered by our forefathers. The fervour and enthusiasm displayed on Jashn-e-Azadi should remain alive throughout the year and should be reflected in every good step we take for the betterment of our country,” he said.
His friend Zeeshan Khan, a public-sector employee, said Pakistan’s young population represented both a major opportunity and a responsibility, particularly in sectors such as tourism and information technology.
He stressed the need for young people to work with dedication for economic development and recalled Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s message to students during his visit to Islamia College Peshawar in 1948, urging them to contribute to the country through patriotic, honest and constructive efforts.
For the visitors camping in the mountains, patriotism was therefore expressed not only through flags and songs but also through education, professional integrity, hard work and service to society.
Independence Day Boosts Local Tourism
The Independence Day influx also provided a welcome economic boost to communities across the Galiyat region.
From Nathiagali and Ayubia to Thandiani, Bagnotar and Harnoi, roads, homes, vehicles and businesses were decorated in green and white as tourists arrived from different parts of the country, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab.
Hotels, guesthouses, restaurants and roadside vendors benefited from the increased footfall. Horse and camel riders and other small-scale tourism service providers also received additional customers during the celebrations.
The tourism sector is increasingly being viewed as an important source of employment and local economic activity in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
According to Saad Khan, spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Tourism and Culture Authority, the provincial government has introduced initiatives aimed at enabling communities living in tourist areas to benefit directly from tourism.
A provincial scheme launched in collaboration with the Bank of Khyber provides interest-free financing for establishing or improving tourist accommodation in areas including Galiyat and Kaghan, with particular emphasis on women entrepreneurs.
Balancing Tourism With Environmental Protection
The growing popularity of Galiyat, however, also presents an environmental challenge.
The forests, wildlife, cool climate and scenic mountain landscape that attract tourists are also vulnerable to unmanaged development, littering and excessive visitor pressure.
Recent provincial tourism initiatives have placed greater emphasis on environmental protection. During a July 2026 visit to Galiyat, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister for Tourism Malik Adeel Iqbal directed authorities to halt illegal construction and stressed that the region’s natural beauty and environment must be protected. Officials also discussed wastewater treatment and improved tourism management.
For destinations such as Thandiani and Nathiagali, sustainable tourism is therefore becoming increasingly important. The challenge is to ensure that growing tourist numbers generate income and employment for local communities without leaving behind pollution and environmental degradation.
As evening approached, clouds thickened over Nathiagali and temperatures dropped. Pakistani flags fluttered in the cool mountain breeze while families and groups of young people continued to arrive.
For the visitors, the Independence Day trip offered more than an escape from the summer heat of the plains. It provided an opportunity to celebrate Pakistan’s national identity against one of the country’s most beautiful natural landscapes.
In cities across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mansehra and Haripur, Independence Day celebrations were also being held, with flag-hoisting ceremonies, national anthems, patriotic decorations and police bands adding to the festive atmosphere.
Yet perhaps the most striking expression of the occasion came from the green mountains of Galiyat, where patriotism blended naturally with Pakistan’s landscape.
As patriotic songs echoed through the pine-covered hills and mist settled over the mountains, Sundas looked towards the surrounding peaks.
“Independence is a great blessing,” she said.
For her, celebrating Pakistan’s birthday was not only about remembering the past. It was also about looking towards a future in which young Pakistanis can transform their enthusiasm into education, honest work, economic progress and responsible citizenship.
And on a cool August afternoon high above sea level, beneath a sky shifting between sunshine, clouds and rain, the green mountains of Galiyat provided a fitting backdrop to that message.
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