Pakistan Day celebrated with vibrant ceremonies at diplomatic missions in UAE
School children presented national songs at the flag hoisting ceremonies at Pakistan Embassy and the Consulate
Dubai: Pakistani diplomatic missions in the UAE marked Pakistan Day with patriotic fervour, bringing together community members, schoolchildren, and officials in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The celebrations featured flag-hoisting ceremonies, national songs, and speeches highlighting the historical significance of the occasion. Pakistan Day is marked on March 23 to commemorate Pakistan Resolution (also known as Lahore Resolution), which was passed at a public meeting in Lahore leading to the foundation of Pakistan -- a separate homeland for Muslims of the Sub-continent.
At the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi hoisted the national flag, followed by the playing of the National Anthem. Messages from Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar were read aloud. A group of Pakistani students added to the patriotic atmosphere by singing national songs with enthusiasm at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Sacrifices
In his address, Ambassador Tirmizi reflected on the sacrifices made by the Muslims of the subcontinent, leading to Pakistan’s independence. He stressed the importance of unity, tolerance, and economic resilience for the country's stability and prosperity. He also reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering support for the right to self-determination of the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and Palestine.
Highlighting Pakistan’s strong ties with the UAE, the Ambassador acknowledged the significant contributions of the Pakistani expatriate community to both nations. He announced the upcoming launch of a book on the life and works of the UAE’s founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, authored by Khan Zaman Ak Suroor, a longtime Pakistani resident in the UAE. The book serves as a tribute from the Pakistani community to the UAE’s "Year of Community" initiative.
Meanwhile, the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai held a similar flag hoisting event, attended by community members and consular officials. Consul General Hussain Muhammad led the flag-hoisting ceremony.
Addressing the gathering, Hussain underscored the historic importance of March 23, 1940, when the Pakistan Resolution was passed, setting the course for the country's independence in 1947. He paid tribute to the father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and other leaders of the Pakistan Movement for their unwavering commitment to the cause.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s journey, the Consul General noted the nation’s progress while acknowledging the challenges ahead, particularly in social and economic development. He called upon the Pakistani diaspora to remain a valuable asset to the UAE and continue contributing to both countries’ prosperity by upholding unity, faith, and discipline.
The Pakistan Day celebrations in the UAE not only honoured the country’s history but also reinforced the strong bond between Pakistan and its expatriate community in the Gulf nation.