Pakistan High Commissioner and Pakistanis in Singapore celebrated country’s 71st Independence Day with colourful ceremony
By Sana Jamal
SINGAPORE — Pakistan High Commissioner and Pakistanis in Singapore today celebrated country’s 71st Independence Day on Tuesday with full enthusiasm and dedication to serving the country’s principles of faith, unity, and discipline.
High Commissioner Mr. Nasrullah Khan together with all staff members, their families, and Pakistanis in Singapore joined the celebration which began with a flag-raising ceremony and singing of Pakistan’s National Anthem.
Other senior officials who attended the function include Deputy High Commission Sohail Siddique, and Media Section Chief Khalid Mahmood.
Ambassador Mr. Nasrullah Khan urged Pakistanis living abroad to work hard to promote the image of the country and create soft space for Pakistan overseas. He also communicated the Independence Day messages of the President and the Prime Minister were read out on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Nasrullah Khan, High Commissioner of Pakistan in Singapore, highlighted the importance of the Independence Day and the creation of Pakistan.
The High Commissioner also highlighted the foreign policy achievements of the government. The importance of Pakistan’s relations with the Republic of Singapore, particularly in the context of the 52 year of establishment of relations between Pakistan and Singapore, were also highlighted.
In his speech, the High Commissioner of Pakistan also mentioned that the democratic institutions in Pakistan were getting stronger and Pakistan’s economy is growing steadily as a result of the sound economic policies of the present government and invited Singaporean investors to invest in different projects initiated by the Federal and the Provincial Governments.
The High Commissioner complimented the contributions of the Pakistani community to help project Pakistan in Singapore. The members of the Pakistani community assured the High Commissioner of their full support and cooperation for the improvement and enhancement of Pakistan-Singapore bilateral ties.
Pakistanis including children and ladies all attired in traditional Pakistani dresses, many holding Pakistani flags participated in the celebrations and enjoyed Pakistani cuisine and the beautifully organized function.
The ceremony concluded with prayers for the prosperity and progress of Pakistan.
Pakistan Embassy had invited all Pakistanis including those visiting briefly to getting training in Singapore institutions.
Imran Khan influenced by Singapore’s Father of the Nation
What is worth mentioning is Pakistan’s PM-in-waiting Imran Khan is strongly impressed by Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and has often referred Singapore as an ideal developing country and lauded its anti-corruption drive.
During his recent political statements, Imran Khan has referred the successful example, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew, (first prime minister of Singapore) who is also internationally recognized as the nation’s founding father of Singapore.
Singapore is an important trade partner of Pakistan as the trade volume between the 2 countries is around US$2.5 billion. Singapore exported goods worth US$2.124 billion compared to US$228 million imports from Pakistan.
Pakistan and Singapore enjoy excellent political and trade relationship since long and Singapore has already extended humanitarian cooperation with Pakistan since as early as 1970.
Singapore had also dispatched a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Medical Mission provided medical supplies and an aid of up to US$100,000 whereas Singapore charity organization Mercy Relief collected charity worth up to US$500,000 during 2005 devastating earthquake that hit Pakistan.
Singapore had also become one of the largest investors in Pakistan with the investment of around US$2 billion.
Dozens of Pakistani companies also maintain branches in Singapore include Pakistan International Airlines and HBL Pakistan and retain representatives to promote business.
Several years ago Pakistan was also instrumental in developing the Singapore maritime industry. At the request of the Singapore Government, Pakistan nominated Captain Muhammad Jalaluddin Sayeed to Singapore, where he was the founding director of the NOL shipping company.
