Dubai/Abu Dhabi: Pakistani expatriates in the UAE celebrated their country's National Day on Tuesday with prayers to win the war against terrorism.
"Instead of criticism and negative approach, we as a community need to stand by our government to strengthen the democratic system and win the war against terrorism, which is endangering the very sovereignty of the country," said Kareemullah Khan from Peshawar.
In Pictures: Pakistan marks National Day
He said that he like millions of other Pakistanis feels sorry for the deteriorating law and order situation, bomb blasts, increasing poverty and acute energy crisis which has paralysed the country. "But we are determined to fight against all challenges because Pakistan is our identity and our home," he said.
Meanwhile, various events were held in the UAE to celebrate Pakistan National Day, which is marked to commemorate the Pakistan Resolution passed in Lahore on March 23, 1940, that paved the way for the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent on August 14, 1947.
Ceremonies
Hundreds of community members attended flag hoisting ceremonies at Pakistani missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador of Pakistan Khursheed Ahmad Junejo said that Pakistan's success in recent attempts to strengthen its democracy and fight against terrorism has added flavour to this year's National Day celebrations.
The political consensus to reverse the constitutional amendments since 1973, made by the dictators [who were in power in the past] shows the strength of the democracy, he told Gulf News on the sidelines of the National Day celebrations at the Pakistani embassy in the capital yesterday.
The ambassador also thanked the UAE Rulers for their benevolence towards the Pakistanis in the UAE.
"The number of Pakistanis living in the UAE has crossed one million last year," he said.
The UAE is Pakistan's biggest source of foreign remittance through banking channels, he said. The bilateral trade between the two countries was around $6 billion (Dh22.04 billion) in 2009, making the UAE the second largest trade partner of Pakistan,
Speaking at a ceremony at the Pakistani mission in Dubai, Consul General Amjad Ali Sher called upon the community members to show unity to safeguard their national identity.
Messages of Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani were also read out at the ceremonies.
In a separate ceremony, famous Pakistani singer Ibrarul Haq rocked the audience at a concert held at Shaikh Rashid Pakistan Islamic Higher Secondary School in Dubai.
The Pakistan Social Centre, Sharjah, will also organise a colourful cultural and musical programme this evening to mark the occasion. Invitation is open to all community members.
