Dubai: Pakistani community members and the diplomatic missions celebrated their country’s 76th National Day in the UAE by organising various events.
The main ceremony was held on Wednesday at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi. Ambassador Asif Durrani hoisted the flag in the presence of a large number of community members and schoolchildren in colourful Pakistani national dress.
National Day messages of the president and the prime minister of Pakistan were read out. Students from Pakistani schools sang national songs.
Speaking on the occasion, Ambassador Durrani welcomed the community members and recalled the struggle of Muslims for a separate state, practising the principles of equality, justice, and equal opportunity for all. The ambassador paid tribute to the great sacrifices made for the independence of Muslims of the subcontinent.
Durrani urged all citizens of Pakistan to renew their resolve to bring their country to the forefront of the comity of nations. He said that Pakistan had confronted formidable threats and challenges, where innocent people had been targeted by terrorists and extremists in schools, universities and mosques. However, Pakistanis, he said, have faced all these challenges with courage, and measured up to each one with resilience and resolve.
Recalling the historic struggle of Muslims for a separate homeland under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, he urged the community to play their role with dedication and commitment to make Pakistan an even stronger and more prosperous country.
He said that Pakistanis residing in the UAE were a valuable asset for the country and have been making a tremendous contribution to Pakistan’s economy through their remittances.
According to the latest statistics provided by the Embassy, around 1.4 million Pakistani live the UAE. Highlighting the strong bonds between Pakistan and the UAE, Ambassador Durrani described these relations as solid and strategic.
Another ceremony in UAE was held at the Pakistan Consulate General in Dubai. Acting Consul General Samar Javed hoisted the national flag. Cake-cutting ceremonies were also held to commemorate Pakistan’s National Day. The ceremonies concluded with the resolve to make Pakistan a progressive, prosperous and peaceful country.
Pakistan Day is a national holiday in Pakistan to commemorate the Pakistan Resolution of 1940. Every year Pakistan Day is celebrated on March 23 throughout the country to commemorate the adoption of the Pakistan Resolution by the All India Muslim League in 1940 at Lahore’s Minto Park which demanded a separate homeland for Muslims in South Asia.
The Pakistani Association in Dubai is also holding a series of sports, cultural and entertainment programmes from March 21 to 26. Apart from various entertainment programmes, on March 25 the association will also honour the distinguished Pakistani individuals who played their role in portraying a positive image of Pakistan in the UAE.
The Pakistan Social Centre Sharjah will hold celebrations on Thursday, March 24.
