To mark the special occasion of 70th Independence Day of Pakistan, a Flag Hoisting ceremony was held at the Pakistan High commission, London.
National Anthem was harmonic when H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK unfurled the Pakistani flag. A large number of the Pakistani community in the UK attended the ceremony, showing their love and respect for their motherland. Besides, many British friends of Pakistan and representatives of the British government witnessed the ceremony.
Soon after recitation from the Holy Quran by Dr. Omar Siddiqui, special prayers were offered for the Shuhada the recent Quetta attack and for the people of Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), who are suffering the worst atrocities and oppression at the hands of the Indian government.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 categorically pronounced that the nation is united against terrorists.
In his address, the High Commissioner thanked the community for their participation in the ceremony. He paid glowing tribute to the untiring struggle of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and other heroes of the Pakistan Movement.
Giving an overview of the positive economic, social and political developments in Pakistan, the High Commissioner said: “Pakistan’s economy is showing steady growth. Recently, Pakistan joined the league of the Emerging Markets. The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is a game changer for Pakistan as well as for the entire region.
“There is political stability and the security environment of Pakistan has significantly improved as a result of Operation Zarb-e-Azb under the National Action Plan (NAP), led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. We pay tributes to our martyrs from the civilians and the security forces personnel who laid their lives in fight against extremism and terrorism. Today, from Khyber to Karachi, there is improved peace and stability.”
Speaking about recent killings and atrocities in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK), the High Commissioner condemned the oppression perpetrated by the Indian government. Referring to dedication of this Independence Day to the Freedom of Kashmir by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, the High Commissioner reiterated Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people.
The High Commissioner gave an overview of the measures taken to improve consular services for the community in line with the instructions of the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Apprising the audience of the High Commission’s community related initiatives, the High Commissioner termed the relations between Pakistan and the United Kingdom exemplary and productive.He shared elaborate plans envisioned by the High Commission for the 70th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan to further enhance the participation of British Pakistani’s in the socio-economic and political landscape of the UK.
On this occasion, the High Commissioner unveiled the commemorative logo, prepared by a Pakistani student Shakir Khan to be used to mark the upcoming 70th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan in the UK.Guests were served with brunch of traditional Pakistani cuisine, whereas live
patriotic songs, sung by local artists, added to the colour of festivity.A bus ornamented with Pakistani truck art parked outside the High Commission was a special focus of attention for the children and grownups alike.At the end the High Commissioner also inaugurated a special desk set up by the
United Bank Ltd for the fee collection from NICOP applicants.Similar Independence Day events were held at all the four Consulates of Pakistan
in Birmingham, Bradford, Glasgow and Manchester.
