Pakistanis celebrate National Day with zeal and simplicity

The Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia celebrated on Sunday the Pakistan National Day with simplicity, zeal and fervor.
The day started with flag hoisting ceremonies at the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh and at the residence of the consul general in Jeddah.
Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan unfurled the national flag at a largely attended ceremony at the Embassy building in Riyadh. Members of the Pakistani community, including women and children, officials of the Embassy and Consulate attended the function in large numbers. Messages of the president and prime minister were read out by the ambassador and consul general.
Ambassador Khan said that March 23 is a reminder of the time when in 1940 the Muslims of South Asia passed a historic resolution in Lahore to carve out a separate homeland for themselves where they could lead their lives according to their beliefs and aspirations.
“We look back at the decades since creation of Pakistan with a deep sense of gratitude at the achievements our country has made. Today we are blessed with a democratic government, independent judiciary, free media and vibrant civil society,” he stressed.
In Jeddah, Consul General Aftab Ahmad Khokhar, performed the national flag hoisting ceremony at his residence in Rowdha district.
In his address to the gathering he said that Pakistan epitomizes aspirations of the founding fathers. “Their vision was to establish a country where we all could lead our lives in accordance with the Islamic ideals of freedom, sovereignty, democracy, equality, justice, tolerance and non-discrimination,” he added.
Both Ambassador Khan and Consul General Khokhar urged the Pakistani community to be united and disciplined and work hard for the development of both the Kingdom and Pakistan.
National songs were also played on the occasion. Special supplements were also published by Arab News, Urdu News, and Saudi Gazette on this occasion.