Pakistan community in the UAE celebrates Independence Day

Dubai: Pakistani community members in the UAE marked their country’s 66th Independence Day on Tuesday with a pledge to portray the soft and positive side of their nation in a bid to shun images of extremism and terrorism.

Promises to support the country economically and to fight against corruption, power crisis and poverty were made at different ceremonies organised by the community and the Pakistani missions in the UAE.

“Today’s Pakistan is a stronger country. Today we are a nuclear power. We have the seventh largest army in the world. We have the world’s largest deep-sea port. Pakistan is rich in natural resources. We are the second largest producer of wheat and third largest producer of cotton. Today we have a functional democracy,” said Ambassador Jamil Ahmad Khan while addressing the community at the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Khan urged the community to maintain the spirit of independence and pursue the cherished objectives of their forefathers. He emphasised that to achieve these objectives and goals every individual has to play his part with dedication and commitment to make Pakistan stronger and prosperous.

He lauded the community for sending a record $2.8 billion (Dh10.28 billion) in remittances during the last fiscal year. Acknowledging the role played by the Pakistani community in the development of the UAE, Khan called upon them to work even harder to further strengthen the fraternal bonds of friendship between the two countries and continue having the highest respect and regard for the local laws of the Emirates.

Tariq Iqbal Soomro, Consul General of Pakistan, called upon the Pakistani community to forge unity in their ranks and to pledge wholeheartedly to work together for the economic uplift of the country and for attainment of the aims and objectives for which Pakistan was created.

Expatriate Pakistanis, he said, can play a vital role in the country’s progress by sending their hard-earned money through banking channels so that their contribution in the national economy could be quantified.

The Pakistan Association Dubai marked the day by arranging a free medical camp for the less privileged community members at the Pakistan Education Academy.

Hundreds of people participated in the Jashan-e-Azadi (Independence Day) function organised by Pakistan Muslim League (N) supporters in the UAE. The event arranged by Chaudhry Noorul Hasan Tanveer, president PML-N for the Middle East, was attended by some prominent politicians including Marvi Memon from PML-N.

Speaking on the occasion, Tanveer urged the Pakistani community to stand against corrupt elements in Pakistan. He said the current government has thrown the government back into the Stone Age as there is an acute shortage of electricity and gas which has led to massive unemployment, poverty and unrest.