Pakistani expats in UAE profess cast-iron love for their motherland
Consul General of Dubai Hassan Afzal Khan celebrates Pakistan’s Independence Day with dignitaries. Photo: Kamal Kassim/Gulf Today
Tanvir Usman, Staff Reporter
Pakistanis residing in the UAE celebrated the country’s 75th Independence Day with national fervour, and paid rich tributes to the founding fathers.
Several events were held across the UAE to mark the Diamond Jubilee. A large number of Pakistani expatriates took part in the celebrations.
The patriotic zest was all too evident in the diplomatic missions of Pakistan in the country. The celebratory spirit gripped the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Pakistan Consulate in Dubai, where Consul General Hassan Afzal Khan graced the events.
It was the first time outdoor Independence Day ceremonies were being held in the UAE since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Those who could not attend the events held in Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and other emirates of the UAE, took to social media to express their love for the motherland.
Some of the expatriates spoke to Gulf Today on the auspicious occasion and shared their thoughts on the country’s 75th Independence Day.
The office-bearers and members of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) UAE organised a grand event in Sharjah to mark the 75th Independence Day. They paid tributes to the martyrs and highlighted the role of the PML-N in the development of the country.
The programme was presided over by Ghulam Mustafa Mughal, president of the PML-N, UAE.
The PML-N, UAE and the community members prayed for the security and stability of Pakistan and the UAE. The programme was hosted by Raja Abu Bakr Affandi, Central Information Secretary, and Raja Abid Hussein, General Secretary of PML-N Dubai. Hussein and Owais Qureshi, Vice President of Dubai Unit, were instrumental in the success of the event.
“It is a proud moment for every Pakistani. On this special day, we pay tributes to our martyrs, forefathers, celebrate our achievements, and pledge to maintain “unity and discipline” in order to create a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan,” said Hussein.
Suneel Parwani, a Dubai resident from Karachi and owner of Creative Crafts Company, paid glowing tributes to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and all those who made untiring efforts for Pakistan’s independence.
“May this Independence Day bring fortune and success for each and every one of us. May our country see more progress in the coming years! Happy Independence Day!” Parwani said.
Irfan Afsar Awan, former president of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) in Dubai, said, “Never compromise on the integrity of the country come what may. Pakistan is our motherland and it is our responsibility to protect its ideological identity at all costs. I wish all my Pakistani brethren in the UAE a Happy Independence Day.”
Jamal Uddin Alvi, Manager of Finance and Administration in Healthcare Trading Company, prayed for the country’s progress and urged his fellow Pakistanis in the UAE to play their part in making the country an Islamic welfare state in its true spirit.
“Let us all unite and celebrate the 75th Independence Day of our beloved country in this great nation UAE . Let us pray that our country sees more growth over the coming years,” he remarked.
Jamshed Maqsood, an AC technician who hails from Muzaffarabad, said, “This is a special day for all Pakistanis. This is a better chance for all of us to cheer up and celebrate our independence in Dubai.”
Muhammad Faisal, a resident of Sharjah while highlighting the importance of Independence Day, said that the hearts of overseas Pakistanis always beat for their motherland.
“Whenever there are natural calamities or any kind of difficulties in Pakistan, expatriates always play a key role to help their countrymen in every possible way,” he added.
Saqib, a resident of Dubai from Lahore, said,” I congratulate all the Pakistanis in the UAE on this auspicious occasion. It is our duty to always remain loyal to our motherland. Pakistan has given us an identity, we should strive hard to pay back to the motherland in every possible way. In my view, political stability is key to the country’s economic development. Expats’ remittances are not enough for economic growth. There are lots of more things to focus on. Our government needs to work on boosting exports as well. Long Live Pakistan.”
Sajjad Hussain, a resident of Ajman, highlighted the issue of mobile phone taxes the expats face when they land at Pakistan’s airports.
“I request the authorities in the UAE to take up this matter with the government in Islamabad. This should be resolved at the earliest,” he concluded.
