Pakistan Embassy marks 72nd Independence Day

DOHA: Pakistani expatriates in Qatar celebrated country’s 72nd Independence Day yesterday with traditional fervor in several colourful events held across the country.

Hundreds of Pakistanis gathered at Embassy of Pakistan to witness the flag-hoisting ceremony marking the beginning the day-long celebrations. Starting with National Anthem playing in the backdrop, Murad Baseer , Charge d’Affaires hoisted the national flag on the embassy premises.

On the occasion, Pakistanis expressed their solidarity and love for their homeland. Young men and women were wearing flag themed dresses displaying great fervour and enthusiasm. The events also featured schoolchildren singing and performing national songs. Pakistani traditional breakfast was also served after the ceremony.

The envoy read out the felicitation messages from President and Prime Minister of Pakistan for Pakistani nationals living in Qatar.

In his message, Mamnoon Hussain, President of Pakistan felicitated fellow Pakistanis on the auspicious occasion of 72nd Independence Day. “This day refreshes our enthusiasm and rejuvenates our resolve to work for the progress and prosperity of our motherland. It also inspires us to serve our country and raise our green flag, which symbolizes our hopes and aspirations, even higher. It is indeed a time for celebration as our hopes and aspirations bore fruit on this day.”

“National days are celebrated with the purpose of educating society, particularly the new generation about the objective and the struggle for the attainment of Pakistan. I believe that the objective of developing the country and rekindling its glorious past can only be achieved if we work single mindedly keeping aside our personal interests.”

Justice (Retd) Nasir-ul-Mulk, Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, in his message extended heartiest felicitations to all the Pakistanis, living within the country and abroad.

“Our great Quaid Mohammad Ali Jinnah had envisioned a democratic, tolerant and progressive Pakistan where every citizen could utilize his or her faculties to the fullest and could reap the benefits of socio-economic progress in an equitable manner. He strived and stood for rule of law, egalitarianism and establishment of a democratic polity. Let us on this day rededicate ourselves to those ideals and also to reassess as to what extent we have been able to achieve those ideals.”

“Undoubtedly, our beautiful country is blessed with every gift of the nature. From an ideal geo-strategic location to the most talented and progressive youth, we have all the ingredients to carve out our own destiny and rise as a successful nation of the world. Unswerving commitment to the ideals of the Quaid and following the principle of ‘Unity, Faith and Discipline’ would certainly help us overcome our present-day challenges and make Pakistan a self-reliant, economically vibrant and a prosperous country.”

Guests from all walks of life interacted with one another and congratulated officers and staff of the embassy on the Independence Day. They expressed their happiness and exchanged views with other officers.

Talking to The Peninsula, Hafiz Junaid Amir Sial, Community Welfare Attaché, Embassy of Pakistan to Qatar, said: “On auspicious occasion of Pakistan’s 71st Independence day, I would like to congratulate and extend my best wishes all Pakistanis residing in Doha and all over the world. This is indeed a special moment that makes us attach to a lot of promises leading us to materialize dreams of our forefathers that took part in independence movement.”

Recalling the sacrifices made by the founding fathers to realize the dream of Pakistan, Riyaz Amed Bakali, Founder Director The Next Generation School (TNG), said: “Independence Day gives us a flashback of all the scarifies made by our forefathers to be blessed with a country like Pakistan which is rich in resources. We should thank Allah Almighty on this special occasion for granting us with a beautiful country like Pakistan.”