Week-long celebrations mark Pakistan Day in UAE

Dubai/Abu Dhabi - National Day messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out.

Pakistani expatriates gathered in large numbers at diplomatic missions in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to mark the 77th Pakistan Day that pays tribute to father of the nation Mohammad Ali Jinnah and those who sacrificed their lives for a separate homeland for Muslims. 
Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE Moazzam Ahmed Khan hoisted the flag at the embassy on Thursday morning in the presence of large number of community members and school children, who celebrated the day by singing national songs. National Day messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out.
On the occasion, Khan recalled the struggle of Muslims of the subcontinent for a separate state and also paid tribute to the sacrifices made for the independence of Muslims of the subcontinent.
In Dubai, Brigadier (retired) Jawed Hassan hoisted the flag in the presence of a large number of community members from Dubai and Northern Emirates. He said Pakistanis residing in the UAE are a valuable asset for the country and have been making a tremendous contribution to Pakistan's economy through their remittances.
The community has planned week-long celebrations to mark the day with the main celebrations being carried out at the embassy and consulate. Around 1.4 million Pakistani expatriates live the UAE.
On the occasion of Pakistan Day, prominent Pakistanis lauded the growth of the country. Mahmood Shaikhni, managing director of Shaikhani Group, said: "The people of Pakistan have a good number of reasons to celebrate Pakistan Day this year."
"This comes at the backdrop of continuous economic growth and socio-economic progress across all sectors. Pakistan was recently upgraded from a frontier economy to an emerging market in the MSCI index. This is an important signal given a changing global landscape, especially for emerging and developing economies." "Every year, more than two million young people enter the job market in this country. This could be a tremendous opportunity for growth," he said.
"Over the past few years, economic dynamism in the world economy has gradually been shifting - from advanced economies to emerging markets," he added.
The Pakistani Association in Dubai will hold a grand ceremony on Saturday to mark the Pakistan National Day. A library will be opened at the association and some plans for the UAE's Year of Giving will also be announced.
Pakistan Social Centre Sharjah also organised cultural and entertainment programmes on Thursday to mark the National Day.
asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com
 

• Pakistan