VIDEO: Pakistani community celebrates 80th Independence Day in UAE

A large number of Pakistanis residing in the UAE have participated in the official ceremonies to celebrate the 80th anniversary of country’s Independence Day. The participants including scores of young male, females and professionals celebrated the Independence Day with national zeal and enthusiasm.

The Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi had organised an elegant flag hoisting ceremony at its premises and witnessed the participants of large number of Pakistani community members along with their families attended the event.

Messages of the Pakistani leadership including President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar were read out during the event.

Shafqat Ali Khan, Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE, hoisted the national flag to the tune of the national anthem.

Speaking on the occasion, he urged community members to continue playing their constructive role in the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Referring to the role of Pakistani community in the UAE, the ambassador appreciated their contribution in the development of the UAE as well as their support to the national economy through their hard-earned remittances; and serving as a bridge between the two brotherly nations.

He thanked the government of the UAE for its longstanding hospitality towards more than 2.2 million Pakistanis and for the care and support extended to the community in almost every aspect of their lives, noting that the welcoming environment and opportunities provided by the UAE have enabled Pakistanis to contribute positively to the country's development while maintaining strong ties with their homeland. The Ambassador appealed the community to pay due reverence to the local laws and be a law-abiding citizens of the UAE.

During the ceremony, children from Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Arab Pakistan School sang patriotic songs with enthusiasm. The children also joined the ambassador in Independence Day cake cutting.

Art exhibition and flag hoisting ceremony at Dubai Consulate

Also during the day, the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai hosted a flag-hoisting ceremony to mark Pakistan's 79th anniversary.

Acting CG Fawad Ali Khan, Mohammed Saleh and other officials during the cake cutting ceremony in Dubai on Friday.

Addressing the gathering, Fawad Ali Khan, acting Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, extended heartfelt felicitations to the Pakistani community on the occasion of Independence Day. He said that Aug.14 was not merely a date in the national calendar, but a symbol of freedom, sacrifice, determination and national identity.

The acting Consul General paid rich tribute to the historic struggle and sacrifices that led to the creation of Pakistan under the visionary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He said that the Quaid had not only given the nation an independent homeland but had also provided a vision and direction based on the principles of Faith, Unity and Discipline.

He appreciated the contributions of the Pakistani community in the UAE, noting that Pakistanis were contributing not only to the development of the UAE but also to Pakistan’s economy and the welfare of their families back home. He commended the community for sending valuable foreign exchange to Pakistan through legal and formal banking channels, describing it as a practical manifestation of overseas Pakistanis’ commitment to strengthening the national economy.

The acting Consul General also toured the art exhibition organised at the Consulate General in collaboration with Parallel Palette, featuring works by Pakistani artists inspired by the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam and their love for Pakistan. He thanked Parallel Palette and particularly appreciated Soobika Fawad, Afsheen Beig and other participating Pakistani artists for contributing their creative talent to the exhibition. The exhibition was arranged to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as part of the Government of Pakistan’s observance of 2026 as the ‘Year of Quaid-e-Azam.’

Concluding his remarks, Fawad Ali Khan paid tribute to the nation’s martyrs and their families and called upon Pakistanis to remain committed to serving their country with dedication and to upholding the values and principles that inspired the creation of Pakistan.

The ceremony concluded with collective prayers for the continued progress, peace and prosperity of Pakistan.