Various functions were held in the main cities of the Kingdom.
The start of the day was solemnized with recitations from the Holy Qur’an and flag hoisting ceremonies simultaneously in Riyadh and Jeddah.
Ambassador Muhammad Naeem Khan unfurled the national flag at a largely attended function at the embassy at Riyadh. People from all walks of life witnessed the ceremony, where messages of the president and prime minister were read out.
In his address congratulating the Pakistani community, the ambassador said today was a day to thank Allah for blessing Pakistan with independence.
He said Pakistan came into being on Aug. 14, 1947, after a long struggle and the day should remind members of the community of the historical sacrifices their forefathers made for a separate homeland, adding that it was now their responsibility to make the country an enlightened, tolerant, progressive and welfare state.
The ambassador said the challenges the country was facing today demanded citizens to remain united and to utilize their energies in transforming Pakistan into a modern democratic state.
He said the valiant struggle waged by the late Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto culminated in the restoration of democracy in Pakistan and today, despite domestic problems and an unfavorable global economic recession, the country was progressing under the leadership of the Pakistan People's Party.
The ambassador said Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy excellent brotherly relations and Islam binds them. He said that besides excellent relations in other spheres of life, economic relations continue to show a robust trend.
Consul General Abdul Salik Khan in his address said the creation of Pakistan was a great triumph for the Muslims of the subcontinent.
He said Pakistan today was facing challenges on many fronts, but nevertheless it has passed encouraging milestones.
He said that the passage of the 18th and 19th constitutional amendments, the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, empowering of Parliament and other state institutions and the Balochistan initiative have strengthened the concepts of democracy and nationhood in the country.
The consul general said the government has been pursuing a policy of reconciliation to promote political and economic stability in the country and it truly believes in continuity and consistency of policies of good governance, and moderation and creation of an enabling environment for investment and trade by extending all facilities to foreign investors with full repatriation of capital gains, dividends and profits.
