Pakistani expats celebrate Independence Day in UAE; new service launched

The colours of the Pakistani flag fluttered high as the expat community came together to mark the 78^th anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence Day with heartfelt patriotism and pride.

Flag-hoisting ceremonies at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai drew families from across the emirates, their faces beaming with joy as the green and white flag rose against the sky.

Pakistan’s Consul General in Dubai, Hussain Mohammed, led the celebrations in the city, inspiring patriotic fervour among the community.

Children clutched miniature flags, elders exchanged warm greetings, and voices united in singing the national anthem, creating a scene brimming with love for the homeland Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, hoisted the national flag in Abu Dhabi. He joined families and community members in honouring the national day with pride and enthusiasm.

In his national day message, Tirmizi reflected on the enduring values of unity, faith, and discipline as the guiding lights for Pakistan’s future.
“Today, my heart is full of pride and gratitude,” he said. “On behalf of the government and people of Pakistan, especially our 2.2 million-strong community here in the UAE, I thank the UAE Government for celebrating the 78^th anniversary of Pakistan Independence Day in such a grand way.”

The ambassador paid tribute to Pakistan’s resilience and unity in the face of challenges and celebrated recent historic successes in national defence. He praised the Pakistani diaspora’s role in building bridges between the two nations, noting their contribution of $7.9 billion in remittances last year and their invaluable service to the UAE’s growth.

In a gesture towards improving services for overseas Pakistanis, Tirmizi announced the launch of an online passport and National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) tracking system, commending the mission’s IT team for the innovation.

He celebrated educational achievements within the community, revealing that two community schools had earned a ‘good’ ranking for the first time in two decades – an accomplishment he attributed to the collective dedication of parents, teachers, and students. He revealed that more Pakistani private schools are now being approached to open branches in the UAE, promising better access to quality and affordable education.

This year’s celebrations reached a historic high with a grand gathering on August 10 at Dubai Expo City, attended by an estimated 60,000 community members – the largest Pakistan Independence Day celebration anywhere in the world.

The event at the missions was a spectacular display of unity, featuring vibrant cultural performances, spirited national songs by schoolchildren, and the unveiling of portraits of Pakistan’s founding father, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, gifted by artist Manzoor K. Hasrat. There were also performances, including singing of national songs by students, cheered by community members, and heartfelt prayers for peace and prosperity. The celebrations highlighted the enduring bond between the Pakistani community and their country.