Independence Day celebrated in Pakistani embassies, missions abroad

The embassies and missions of Pakistan celebrated the Independence Day in the capitals of different countries with flag-hoisting and other ceremonies.

USA

WASHINGTON: Ambassador Masood Khan in his remark said Pakistan was a dream for hundreds of millions of Muslims of South Asia. It was the Quaid-i-Azam who gave it concrete form and substance.

“Today we pay tribute to him, his comrades and followers for making this dream, this miracle a reality. And the dream came true on August 14, 1947. Today we celebrate 76 years of our independence. On this day, we thank God Almighty for his bounteous blessing on us.”
Pakistan has an ideology, a vision and a destiny. Our state gives us identity. We have a compass to reach our destination, our North – and the real North is a politically stable, economically prosperous Pakistan anchored in eternal values of liberty, equality and justice.
We will continue to work for a peaceful neighborhood where all can live in harmony.
While we shape a bright future for our people, we are aware of the threats to our nation. We would eliminate them and prevail, as always. The dream of Pakistan is incomplete without the realization of the right of self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
We pay tribute to Shuhuda and Ghazis who have been giving their ultimate sacrifices for making our homeland secure.

“Today is a day to count our blessings, celebrate our successes, reaffirm our aspirations and resolve to scale new heights in our journey. There is plenty to be optimistic about and the sky is the limit for what we can. But we will not sit on our laurels.
It is our shared responsibility to reject merchants of despair and devalue the currency of fake fables. If we have to move forward, there is no room for despondency and dejection, doom and gloom. Have faith in Pakistan. Our unshakeable belief in the state of Pakistan will take us to the places we aspire. Our commitment to democracy is strong and unwavering.
Our forthcoming electoral processes would usher in an era of political resilience and economic viability.”
“We are thankful to the US Government, Congress and the American people for their support for stronger bilateral relations and for standing by us during last year’s devastating floods. We are particularly grateful to Secretary Blinken for his message of solidarity and friendship on our Independence Day! Today, we also celebrate successes of Pakistani-Americans.”
Their numbers have grown. They have become more prosperous and they are becoming politically savvy. Ten amongst you have become members of States Assemblies or Senates; and your representation in the Administration is growing. You make us proud.
I have good news to share with you. Pakistan has started regaining its economic strength.
Our GDP should climb up to 3.5 percent this fiscal year. We are expecting heavy inflows of foreign investment.
The Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) has announced the inclusion of 15 Pakistani companies in its Frontier Market Indexes. This will increase the total number of Pakistani companies in this index to 17. What’s more, MSCI is listing 41 companies of Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in its MSCI Frontier Markets Small Cap Indexes. These decisions should open new doors for investment in Pakistan.
Moreover, the Gulf States – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Bahrain – are entering into Pakistani markets in a big way by investing in mining, refineries, ports, airports and agriculture. This should expand space for American investments.

“You are the power house behind the Roshan Digital Account. In the last fiscal year, the cumulative foreign currency inflows through Rohan Digital Accounts (RDAs) by Pakistani diaspora have surpassed $6.5 billion. We know that Pakistani Americans have a major share in this upswing. Congratulations and thanks!
Pakistan-US trade is on track. Your remittances to Pakistan remain steady. Last year you sent nearly $2.5 billion to your motherland, the same as the previous year. The IT sector, especially tech startups, are being supported by Venture Capital Funds. These are good trendlines. Let’s build on them.”

NEW YORK: Pakistan’s 76th Independence Day was celebrated in New York on Monday, with the hoisting of the national flag at the Pakistan House by Ambassador Munir Akram, as the national anthem was played.

The joint ceremony, held by the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the UN and the Consulate General, started with recitation from the Holy Quran.  It was attended by officers and staff of the Pakistan Mission and the Consulate General.

President Dr Arif Alvi’s message for the occasion was tread out by the Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN, Aamir Khan and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s message was delivered by the Trade and Commerce Officer at the Consulate, Talat Gondal.

Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Akram highlighted the importance of the Lahore Resolution which led to the establishment of Pakistan. He paid tributes to the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the sacrifices made by the Muslims of the sub-continent during the freedom movement.

Canada

TORONTO: The 76th Independence Day of Pakistan was marked in Canada with elaborate flag hoisting ceremonies held at the Pakistan High Commission in Ottawa and the Consulates General of Pakistan in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

The main event of the day was the flag hoisting ceremony held at the Pakistan High Commission in Ottawa where High Commissioner for Pakistan Zaheer Janjua hoisted the national flag to the accompaniment of the National Anthem.

The Messages of the President and the Prime Minister were read out. Later, a beautiful specially made cake in green and white Pakistani flag colours to fit the occasion was cut in the presence of a large number of Pakistan expatriates gathered at the chancery.

In his message on the occasion, High Commissioner Zaheer Janjua felicitated the Pakistani diaspora in Canada and across the globe on the 76th Independence Day of Pakistan.

He paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers of Pakistan for their heroic struggle in attaining the goal of an independent motherland.

 

Netherlands

THE HAGUE: The embassy of Pakistan in the Netherlands celebrated Pakistan’s Independence Day here on Monday with traditional zeal and enthusiasm.
A flag hoisting ceremony was held at Pakistan House which was attended by a number of Pakistani community members including, students, women and children from different parts of the Netherlands.

The national flag was hoisted by ambassador Suljuk Mustansar Tarar at the tune of national anthem. Special messages of the President and the Prime Minister on this auspicious occasion were read out to the audience.
Shahroz Kashif, a renowned Pakistani mountaineer, also attended the flag hoisting ceremony. He is the youngest mountaineer who climbed the K2 on 27 July 2021. He also addressed the participants and informed about his plans to fly Pakistani flag on the top of all 14 eight-thousander mountains. Kashif is on a visit to the Netherlands to project tourism potential of the country.
The ambassador in his address paid tribute to the national heroes of Pakistan movement.
He informed about Pakistan – the Netherlands bilateral relations and the celebrations being held in the Hague and Islamabad to commemorate 75 years of the establishment of bilateral relations between the two countries this year.

He also emphasized to remember Kashmiri brothers and sisters in our prayers who are facing persecution in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IIOJK). He reiterated Pakistan’s continued political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri people.
The ambassador appreciated the Pakistani community’s active role. He urged the community members to continue to play a constructive role in improving relations between Pakistan and the Netherlands.
A group of young Pakistani diplomats who are in the Hague to attend training programme at the Clingendael Institute as part of Pakistan -Netherlands cooperation also attended the event.
The ceremony ended with prayers for the prosperity, safety and economic stability of Pakistan.

Belgium

BRUSSELS: The Independence Day of Pakistan was observed with patriotic zeal and spirit in a graceful ceremony at the embassy of Pakistan here on Monday.

The national flag of the country was hoisted by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg, Amna Baloch at the Chancery building.

The messages of the President and Prime Minister on the occasion of Independence Day were read out during the ceremony. The Pakistani leadership in their separate messages paid glowing tributes to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s founding fathers. They reaffirmed their commitment to make tireless efforts to realize the vision of the founding fathers.

In her message on the occasion, Ambassador Baloch stressed the importance of the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah and poet-philosopher, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, who envisaged Pakistan to be a peaceful and prosperous country.

Russia

MOSCOW: Pakistan’s Ambassador to Russia Shafqat Ali Khan on Monday said relations with Russia was the priority of Pakistan’s foreign policy.

Addressing an event in Moscow to mark 76th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence, the ambassador said relations between Pakistan and Russia were on very positive trajectory. He expressed the confidence in further strengthening the bilateral relations.

The ambassador praised the invaluable role of the Pakistani community in Russia in enhancing cooperation and bringing the two countries closer to each other.

The embassy of Pakistan in Moscow hosted an event to celebrate the 76th anniversary of independence of Pakistan. A Russian string quartet of Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory – home performed classical adaptations of Pakistani songs ‘Jeevay Jeevay’, ‘Sohni Dharti’ and ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’.

Pakistanis residing in Russian Federation also presented national songs and children performed on stage. The performance was greatly appreciated by the audience, which included the members of the Pakistani community in Russia, employees of the Embassy, as well as Russian friends of Pakistan.

Canada

TORONTO: The 76th Independence Day of Pakistan was marked in Canada with elaborate flag hoisting ceremonies held at the Pakistan High Commission in Ottawa and the Consulates General of Pakistan in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal.

The main event of the day was the flag hoisting ceremony held at the Pakistan High Commission in Ottawa where High Commissioner for Pakistan Zaheer Janjua hoisted the national flag to the accompaniment of the National Anthem.

The Messages of the President and the Prime Minister were read out. Later, a beautiful specially made cake in green and white Pakistani flag colours to fit the occasion was cut in the presence of a large number of Pakistan expatriates gathered at the chancery.

In his message on the occasion, High Commissioner Zaheer Janjua felicitated the Pakistani diaspora in Canada and across the globe on the 76th Independence Day of Pakistan.

He paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers of Pakistan for their heroic struggle in attaining the goal of an independent motherland.

South Africa

PRETORIA: Pakistan’s 76th Independence Day was celebrated at Pakistan High Commission Pretoria, South Africa in a graceful ceremony.

High Commissioner Aftab Hasan Khan hoisted the flag on the heart-warming tunes of the national anthem played in the background. Special message of the President and the Prime Minister for the 76th Independence Day, were read out to the audience on the occasion.

High Commissioner Aftab Hasan Khan recalled the historic significance of 14th August in the light of two-nation theory and the sacrifices and struggle of our leaders and forefathers which led to the creation of Pakistan. He urged all Pakistanis to pledge to follow Quaid’s principles of Unity, Faith and Discipline.

The High Commissioner stressed that the innocent Kashmiris are looking up to the International community for solidarity and it is the responsibility of all peace loving  people of the world to stand with the Kashmiris in their just struggle for their inalienable right to self determination

The celebrations were attended by a large number of Pakistani community members who had gathered from various cities of South Africa. Overseas Pakistanis in South Africa who have rendered services for the diaspora abroad were awarded appreciation certificates by the High Commissioner.

Special prayers were held for Pakistan’s progress and prosperity and the event ended with a cake cutting ceremony.

China

BEIJING: An impressive flag-hosting ceremony was held at the Embassy of Pakistan, Beijing here on Monday to commemorate 76th anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence Day.

The event began with the recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by Pakistan Ambassador to China Moin ul Haque raising of the national flag. President Dr. Arif Alvi in his message paid tribute to the sacrifices rendered by our founding fathers and workers of the Pakistan movement.

President urged the countrymen to work for the welfare of deprived sections of society and uphold the principles of democracy freedom, equality, socioeconomic justice and moral and ethical values as enunciated by Islam.

The president also reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering and continued political diplomatic and moral support for Kashmiri brethren in their legitimate right to self-determination.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in his message paid homage to the Quaid-i-Azam’s visionary leadership and also the other leaders for their struggles that resulted in the creation of Pakistan.

The prime minister praised the resilience of Pakistanis to face the worst natural disasters and the will to rebuild. He said that this day gives us an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of the past, celebrate the achievements of the present, and envision a brighter future for our country.

The prime minister urged Pakistanis to work towards a nation that embodies the principle of justice equality and prosperity for all.

In his address, Ambassador Moin ul Haque congratulated Pakistanis on the 76th Independence Day of Pakistan. He commended the efforts of our forefathers and leaders who conceived and crystallized the idea of an independent and sovereign Muslim state in the subcontinent.

He stated that on the special day let us all pledge to renew our commitment to build a more prosperous and united Pakistan and remain steady fast and work with full dedication for the development and betterment of our country.

He spoke about the special friendship between Pakistan and China which is time-tested and growing stronger. He added that this year is important for both countries as we are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and also celebrating the year of tourism exchanges between both countries.