JEDDAH, 15 August — The Pakistani community in the Kingdom celebrated their country’s Independence Day yesterday with great fervor and enthusiasm. Special functions were held in Riyadh, Jeddah, Asir, Tabuk, Taif, Makkah, Yanbu, Abha and Madinah.
The programs started with the flag hoisting ceremonies held simultaneously at the Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah. Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Mohammad Asad Durrani, ambassador of Pakistan, unfurled the national flag at a largely attended ceremony held in the chancery in Riyadh. The ambassador read out the Independence Day message of President Pervez Musharraf to the large gathering. At the function held at the Consulate General in Jeddah, Consul General Tahir Iqbal Butt hoisted the national flag. Vice Consul Suljuk Mustansar Tarar read out the Independence Day message from the president. Mohsin Rizvi read his poem on the occasion.
