ISLAMABAD (Compiled by PPA) — Pakistanis at home and abroad celebrated 72nd Independence Day with full fervor and enthusiasm and hundreds of big and small ceremonies were held in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and dozens of other small cities and towns.
The main function was held in Islamabad, attended by President Mamnoon Hussain, Interim Prime Minister Nasir ul Mulk, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa and other high civil and military officials.
Pakistan’s to UN, Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi read out the Independence Day message of President Mamnoon Hussain while Mr. Naeem Cheema, Acting Consul General New York read out the message from Prime Minister Justice (R) Nasir-ul-Mulk. While talking to the media after the ceremony, Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi further elaborated on the importance of the Day.
Expressing solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Ambassador Lodhi voiced the hope that the people of Jammu and Kashmir will one day also be able to achieve their fundamental right to self-determination, as enshrined in numerous UN Security Council resolutions.
At Pakistan Embassy in Ankara, Turkey Ambassador of Pakistan, Muhammad Syrus Sajjad Qazi, hoisted the national flag on the tune of the national anthem in the presence of the Pakistani community, students, and Embassy officials and their families.
The special messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion. Pakistani leadership in their separate messages paid glowing tributes to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s forefathers, particularly Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Ambassador also informed that the Pakistan Embassy Ankara has opened an account in which people can donate for “Supreme Court of Pakistan Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund” and urged members of Pakistan community to generously donate to this fund.
The Ambassador also briefed the guests about Pakistan-Turkey relations. He said overseas Pakistanis play an important role in promoting relations with host countries.
The Students of Pakistan Embassy School (PEISG) in Ankara presented special performance composed of milli nagma (National songs).
