Ambassador Ghulam Dastgir at cake cutting ceremony on 73rd Pakistan Independence Day at Pakistan Embassy Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

Pakistani expats in the UAE have celebrated the country’s 73rd Independence Day with zeal and enthusiasm to hold two official ceremonies in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Community representation from all segments of life attended the ceremonies and also vowed to continue their support with Kashmiris especially in the revoking of their special status recently by the government of India.

Consul General Ahmed Amjad Ali hosts the national flag at Dubai Consulate premises on Wednesday. Kamaal Kassim /Gulf Today

The official ceremonies were held at the Embassy of Pakistan, Abu Dhabi while another was held in Pakistani Consulate in Dubai. A large number of UAE-based Pakistanis including women and children attended the ceremony.

Ghulam Dastgir, Pakistani Ambassador to the UAE, started the ceremony by hoisting the national flag. Independence Day messages of the President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan were read out.

Pakistani students sing a national song at Dubai Consulate premises.  Kamal Kassim / Gulf Today

In his address, Ambassador Ghulam Dastgir, while felicitating the Pakistanis on the auspicious occasion of Independence Day, recalled the great sacrifices rendered by our forefathers for the creation of a separate homeland. He also talked about the ideals which serve as the guiding principles for the nation’s march to peace and progress.

He said the day was being celebrated with the conviction that it would be a harbinger of political, economic and social stability. He said that it should also be considered as a day of introspection and to ponder over as to how we could re-direct our energies to the development of Pakistan to be able to stand tall among the comity of nations.

Pakistani children celebrate Independence Day event in Dubai. Kamal Kassim

Referring to the role of Pakistani community in UAE, the Ambassador appreciated their contribution in the development of UAE and the role they are playing in supporting the national economy and improving ties between Pakistan and the UAE. He particularly appreciated the UAE leadership‘s special affiliation towards Pakistan and said that the leaders of the two countries were keen on further strengthening bilateral relations.

In line with the decision of the Government of Pakistan to stand with its Kashmiri brethren in wake of the recent announcement of Indian government to revoke Article 370 of its constitution, the Ambassador reaffirmed the Pakistan’s principles stance and expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people for their legitimate right of self-determination. He called for a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

A large number of community members also attended the official ceremony held in Pakistan Consulate in Dubai and led by Ahmed Amjad Ali, Consul General of Pakistan.

Pakistani expat family members celebrate Independence Day event at Dubai Consulate premises. Kamal Kassim

He also assured the expat community that the government of Pakistan and the whole nation will continue to support Kashmiri people on this auspicious occasion of 73nd Independence Day. “The day is to remember the sacrifices of our elders on the way of independence 73 years ago and for their immense sacrifices because of which we are enjoying the precious gift of freedom. We promised to continue to work hard and protect the country from every evil and at the same time use all our efforts to bring freedom for the people of Kashmir,” he said.

This year, the celebrations were more passionate with the performances of various Pakistani schools for the audience. Schoolchildren from Sheikh Rashid School Pakistan performed various national tableaus and national songs.

He pointed that they were planning to bring all the community schools to show their patriotism with the nation of the occasion of Independence Day and now today we have representation of all community schools to perform various acts. “We should thankful to our school and their students who performed in today event,” he added.

Counsel General distributes certificates among the extraordinary people from the Pakistani community. Kamal Kassim 

He pointed that the Consulate has recently started to recognised the extraordinary works of community members with certificate and this practice will be continued on both major national events, March 23 and Aug.14, in Dubai. From next year we will continue this and we are inviting community to help us find such extraordinary people from the community to be recognised,” he said.

He also elaborated the efforts of consulate to making the life easier of community members through its various services.

The ceremony concluded with cake cutting and offering a traditional breakfast to everyone.