Independence Day: Foreign missions express solidarity with Pakistan
British High Commission staff plant trees, EU envoy plays national anthem on trumpet
Islamabad: To commemorate 75 years of diplomatic relations with Pakistan and to greet the people and the government on the 75th Independence Day Anniversary, foreign missions in Islamabad have come forward in different ways to convey their greetings and best wishes on the occasion.
The British High Commission staff, joined by Chevening alumni and personnel from the Islamabad Capital Development Authority planted 75 trees native to Pakistan in the Shakarparian National Park.
A year-long tree planting programme
The activity compliments a vast year-long tree planting programme carried out in the UK by the British Pakistan Foundation and Pakistan High Commission. Named as ‘The Legacy Project’, this was launched to celebrate the achievements of British Pakistanis over the last 75 years. A total of 7,500 trees are set to be planted.
On the occasion Acting British High Commissioner Andrew Dalgleish said, “Right now the UK and Pakistan are collaborating to tackle some of the world’s most pressing challenges from driving forward action on climate change to improving gender equality. I know that we will continue to do so over the next seventy-five years. Happy Birthday, happy Independence Day, Azm-e-aali Shaan, Shaad rahe Pakistan!”
EU ambassador pays musical tribute
The newly arrived ambassador of the European Union Dr Riina Kionka, as a commemoration for 60 years of EU-Pakistan relations, celebrated the occasion by playing the national anthem on the trumpet.
The unique way to mark Aug 14 was shared through a special campaign on social media.
According to a statement, the union is committed towards creating a stable, democratic and pluralistic country that respects human rights and benefits from its full economic potential by supporting sustainable and inclusive development for all its citizens. Collaboration between the EU and Pakistan is grounded in the Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) signed in 2019.
Australian envoy puts on clothes of Pakistani flag’s colours
The Australian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Neil Hawkins too congratulated Pakistan on the 75th anniversary of its creation.
Attired in the colours of the Pakistani flag, white and green, the High Commissioner said in his message, “Happy Birthday Pakistan. Just 75 years young and much to be proud of and much to celebrate: Your ethnic diversity, rich cultural heritage, fabulous food and spectacular scenery. But the most striking element for me is the warm and welcoming people - always ready with a smile and a ‘salaam aleikum.’
Australia is one of the first countries that recognised Pakistan in 1947. Our people to people ties go back to the 1800s as camel traders from Balochistan were critical in transporting goods across our deserts. Today almost 100,000 Pakistanis call Australia home and make a critical contribution to our multicultural society, the statement said.