Speakers and poets at the Pakistan Independence Day event expressed their anguish and concern at the sad state of affairs in their home country.

"This is not what our forefathers and our country's founder had expected of us. We have made a mess of our country,” said one speaker.

Another blamed former dictators for the ills facing the country. Yet others blamed political parties and the corrupt leaders for the country’s lack of direction.

Among all the pessimism there was optimism too. “Pakistan has gone through bad patches in its 64-year history, but it has survived and its people have held their heads high,” said one of the guest speakers. “This too shall pass provided they remain steadfast,” he said.

Ideological Forum for Pakistan Studies Founder President Anjum Dar said it was important to remember why Pakistan was created. “We need to keep that in focus at all times and only then will we be able to chart a bright and prosperous course for our country,” he said. “We must not lose hope and carry on with defending and safeguarding the sacred land of Pakistan.”

Pakistan Forum President Malik Farooq Ahmed said Muslims should seek Allah’s forgiveness for going astray. “If every single one of us holds himself or herself accountable to Allah then things will get back on track in no time,” he said. “Unfortunately, we have lost sight of the meaning of Qur'an. All these problems that we are witnessing in Pakistan are because we have lost sight of our Islamic moorings.”

Among the prominent Pakistanis who spoke at the event were Wajahat Pirzada, Misbah Baber Khan, well known poet Afzal Khan, ghazal singer Tariq Syed, Faqeer Faisalabadi, Shoaib Shehzad, Nauman bin Saleem, Shafqat Chaudhry, Bashir Bhatti and Faisal Bashir. Ejaz Gul represented the Pakistani Christian community.