Ambassador raises the Pakistani national flag during a ceremony at the Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. WAM

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

DUBAI: Community members of Pakistan based in the UAE attended two official ceremonies to celebrate the country’s 79th National Day of Pakistan (Resolution Day) with patriotism and zeal.

The first ceremony was held early morning at Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi led by Ambassador Moazzam Ali Khan. He hoisted the national flag in the presence of a large number of community members. National Day messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out. Students from Pakistani schools sang national songs with zeal and enthusiasm. The event was attended by a large number of Pakistani community from all walks of life.

Ambassador Khan in his message congratulated the community living in the UAE and said that on this very day, the Muslims of the subcontinent resolved to achieve a separate homeland in order to lead their lives with dignity, honour and freedom. He recalled the challenges confronted by Pakistan since its inception and how through national resolve, resilience and commitment by the Pakistani nation.

While appreciating the unity and maturity displayed by Pakistani nation, the Ambassador reiterated the readiness of Pakistan to play its part in winning lasting peace in the region.

He also thanked the friends of Pakistan in particular the UAE who always stood by it in difficult times and contributed to its development. He paid special tribute to the founder of the UAE His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan who planted the sapling of friendship along with Pakistani leadership which has grown into a tall tree. He said that the successive meetings between the leadership of two countries in the recent months have resulted in transforming these bilateral relations into strategic partnership.

Another ceremony in UAE was held at Pakistan Consulate Dubai. Ahmed Amjad Ali, Pakistan Consul General in Dubai and Northern Emirates hoisted the national flag and messages of President of Pakistan and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out to the audience.

In his address, Consul General recalled the great sacrifices rendered by our forefathers for a separate homeland. “Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Founding Father of the Nation, envisioned a country where Muslims could lead their lives according to their own values and traditions, while the non-Muslims would also be free to practice their own religion”, he said.