Largest gathering ever at the High Commission enthralled by cultural component
Independence Day marked by Flag Hoisting at the Pakistan High Commission, London
Largest gathering ever at the High Commission enthralled by cultural component
Community welcomes Quaid-i-Azam’s Bust to be installed by the Mission at Lincoln’s Inn this year
To mark the special occasion of 71st Independence Day of Pakistan, a Flag Hoisting ceremony was held at the Pakistan High Commission, London today. The cultural component made the ceremony stunning with the largest gathering ever assembled at the High Commission. The occasion also marked 70th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan, for which the High Commission chalked out an elaborate calendar of events for the whole year to celebrate this milestone in the national history.
H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK, unfurled the Pakistani flag to the tunes of National Anthem. In his address on the occasion, the High Commissioner felicitated the community in the UK and all Pakistanis around the world. He paid glowing tribute to the untiring struggle of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and other heroes of the Pakistan Movement.
The High Commissioner said: “Pakistan is moving forward despite challenges. Our economy is on upward trajectory, with 5.4 percent growth this year. All institutions are in place and delivering. We are proud of our armed and civil law enforcement agencies that fought courageously against the extremists and terrorists and restored peace in the country, including Karachi, to a great extent as a result of Operation Zarb e Azb and Operation Raddul Fasad under National Action Plan. Pakistan is the frontline country between the forces of darkness and the civilized world. Today we again pay tribute to all our martyrs who laid down their lives during our fight against terrorism.”
Speaking about the regional peace, the High Commissioner reiterated Pakistan’s policy of peaceful neighbourhood and resolution of all outstanding issues including the issue of Kashmir. He stated that Pakistan would continue its political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Kashmir till they achieve their right to self-determination as enshrined in the UN resolutions.
The High Commissioner termed the relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom exemplary and productive. He also appreciated the role of the diaspora in cementing these relations.
The High Commissioner also thanked the community for fully participating in the celebrations planned by the High Commission to mark the 70th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan. He said next of the series of events is Anglo Sufi Musical ISHQ, on the theme of folk lore Heer Ranjha, to be staged at London’s historical theatre Sadler’s Wells from 7-9 Sept. 2017. The Grand Finale of the celebrations, said the High Commissioner, would be installation of Quaid-i-Azam’s Bust at his alma mater Lincoln’s Inn at the end of this year. The idea of the Bust was much appreciated by the community present on the occasion.
The messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan for the occasion were read out. In their messages, both the leaders felicitated the nation and emphasized on unity on common objectives of the entire nation.
Many British friends of Pakistan and representatives of the British government witnessed the ceremony.
A few success stories of the young British Pakistanis were also shared with the guests; they included:
- Kashif Siddiqi— a British Pakistani Footballer, Co-Founder of Football For Peace movement
- Saira Peter—a British Pakistani Sufi Opera Singer
- Enaam Ahmed— a British Pakistani Motorsport Formula 3 winner at the age of just 17
- Cast of Anglo Sufi Musical ISHQ— Adnan Jafer and Sohai Abro
Live patriotic songs sung by Saira Peter, Durdana Ansari, and Asad Zaidi enthralled the audience. Saira Peter also launched her national song on the occasion. All this added to the colour and festivity of the occasion. Two British Pakistani students made brief speeches around the theme of Independence Day.
Guests were served with brunch of traditional Pakistani cuisine.
Similar Independence Day events were held at all the four Consulates of Pakistan in Birmingham, Bradford, Glasgow and Manchester.
Pictures Captions:-
- Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK hoisting the national flag on Independence Day at Pakistan High Commission London on 14-8-2017
2&3. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK addressing at the flag hoisting ceremony
4&5 Saira Peter, Sufi Opera singer
- Kashif Siddiqui footballer (left), and Enaam Ahmed motorsport star, formula3 winner
- Durdana Ansari, singer and broadcaster
- Asad zaidi, Guitarist
- Speakers
- Defence Wing Officers
- Cake Cutting by the High Commissioner and his spouse
- View of the public
