Pakistani expats celebrate Independence Day

Jamil Ahmed Khan hoisting the national flag to mark his country’s 66th Independence Day at the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. — KT photos by Shoaib Anwer

Ambassador Jamil Ahmed Khan hoisted the national flag at 7.30am in the embassy courtyard as the band from Abu Dhabi’s Church of Pakistan played the national anthem. Members of Pakistan’s diplomatic mission then read out messages from Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf.

Inside the embassy, walls were already draped with small Pakistani flags. “On this day in 1947 our long and hard struggle for independence against foreign domination was crowned with success and a new state was born wherein we could fashion our lives and destiny in accordance with our culture, values and aspirations,” read Syed Ahsan Reza, deputy head of mission, delivering President Zardari’s address after the flag-raising.

“We are beholden to our founding fathers and who under the leadership of the Quaid [Mohammed Ali Jinnah] achieved a separate homeland for us.”

First Secretary of the Mission Arshad Jan Pathan then read Prime Minister Ashraf’s message, which also paid homage to those who had worked for and died in the cause of Pakistani sovereignty. The prime minister’s address reflected on the current state of affairs in Pakistan. “We are confronted with various challenges such as energy crisis, law and order problem, economic difficulties, terrorism and extremism, which have slowed down the pace of socioeconomic development. We are a resolute and determined nation and can overcome these daunting challenges if we demonstrate tolerance, national unity, solidarity and understanding,” read his message.

Finally, Khan addressed the gathering of embassy officials and members of the public, giving special attention to Pakistan-UAE ties and the local community’s contributions to the UAE.

“Around 1.2 million Pakistani expatriates are settled in the UAE and playing their role in the phenomenal success story of the UAE,” he said. “More than 5,000 Pakistani companies with sizeable businesses are registered here... This contribution translates into a huge trade volume, which stands at around $8 billion during 2011-2012.” He praised UAE’s Pakistani expatriates for dedication to their homeland, noting that the community sent $2.8 billion in remittances last year. The embassy’s independence day celebrations concluded with patriotic songs performed by the church band and local youths, followed by prayers for the well-being of Pakistan and its people. “Let us all realise the value of this gift bestowed upon us by Allah Almighty and renew our commitment to serve Pakistan,” said Khan.

In Dubai, Tariq Iqbal Soomro, the Consul-General of Pakistan hoisted the flag on Tuesday morning on the premises of the Consulate-General in the presence of a large number of Pakistani community members.

Expatriate Pakistanis, Soomro said, can play a vital role in the country’s progress by sending their hard-earned money through banking channel so that their contribution in the national economy could be quantified. He expressed the confidence that the Pakistani community in the UAE will play a lead role in this regard.

In an event organised on Monday by the Pakistan Association in Dubai, nearly 150 workers were treated to free medical checkups and Iftar meals at the association.

On the occasion, president of the association Dr Ziaul Hassan said: “We have responsibilities as Pakistanis in the UAE.” He also said that all association members were volunteers for the society.

Hassan called for establishing a deeper trust among the community members and the future generation.

Addressing the gathering, ambassador Jamil Ahmed Khan said: “These are the people who have done a lot for their country.” He also said that the current processing time for passports in Abu Dhabi is four minutes which will soon be introduced in Dubai as well. A 60-pound cake sponsored by Ravi Restaurant was also cut.

Khan lauded the community for sending record $2.8 billion remittance during the last fiscal year.

He added that Pakistan has achieved export target of $25 billion this year in addition to start of mega projects like Basha dam, Coastal road and Gwadar port which has its national and international importance and can improve the economy of the country manifold.

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