Pakistani expats to celebrate Independence Day today
Host of community events and official ceremonies planned
Ahost of community and official events will be held today to celebrate the 71st Pakistan Independence Day in the UAE, home to around 1.5 million Pakistanis.
Pakistanis, who make up the UAE’s second largest expat community, are celebrating the founding of their country 71 years ago, following the Pakistan Movement led by Mohammad Ali Jinnah, known as Quaid-e-Azam (The great leader).
The movement culminated in a separate homeland for Muslims in the subcontinent following the end of colonial British Rule in 1947.
Flag hoisting ceremony
On Tuesday morning, the Pakistani embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai will be hoisting the Pakistani flag in an Independence Day ceremony. People at the ceremony at the two missions will hear an Independence Day message from Justice (Retd) Nasir-ul-Mulk, Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan. Apart from the message, Moazzam Ahmad Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, ■ and Brigadier (Retd) Syed Javed Hassan, Consul-General of Pakistan in Dubai, will address the people gathered at the two missions.
In his Independence Day message, Khan said Pakistan has become, in terms of purchasing power parity, among the top 30 economies of the world, and is “well poised for a take-off”.
He added: “[Pakistan] is the fifth populous country in the world and has ninth biggest work force. Pakistan has one of best and technologically advanced militaries, boasts the world’s largest network of canals, and remains a top producer of quality textiles, wheat, cotton, fruit and dairy products. Add to it the growing array of start-ups and tech companies, IT professionals, scientists, researchers and highly skilled technicians. We take pride in being one of the fastest growing economies in the world rooted locally but integrated globally.”
UAE-Pakistan ties
He praised the close ties between the UAE and Pakistan, pointing out “Pakistan was the first country to accord diplomatic recognition to the UAE in 1971. No wonder, it was also the first foreign country visited by Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan as head of state. He had special love in his heart for Pakistan and its people. Till this date, his memory is honoured and celebrated by Pakistanis the world over with great respect and reverence”.
Meanwhile, Javed Hassan said in his Independence Day message that Pakistan’s armed forces have “succeeded in combating the evil forces of extremism and terrorism within the country as well as external threats. The nation is proud of them and stands fully behind them in the noble endeavour ■ to secure peace and safeguard the borders of the country. The armed forces and people of Pakistan are determined to defend the sacred motherland against all internal and external threats”.
Later today Pakistan Association Dubai in collaboration with the Pakistani embassy will be hosting a grand event to celebrate the occasion. The chief guest at the event will be Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister Tolerance, who will launch the ‘Junior Brick’ campaign for Pakistan Medical Centre, a non-profit health care facility to be built by the Pakistani community.