Pakistanis all over the world celebrated the country’s 77th Independence Day with traditional fervour Monday. The same exciting pitch was evident at a colourful event hosted by the Pakistan embassy on its premises to mark the occasion.
On a bright morning, hundreds of expatriate Pakistanis in Doha converged to join the spirit of freedom.Ambassador Muhemmed Aejaz hoisted the crescent-and-star flag to the tune of the national anthem, sung in unison by the audience, after a smartly turned out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented a salute.
Pakistan ambassador renders
national song
Anyone acquainted with Pakistanis and their trademark celebrations on Independence and National Days would know how joyfully they partake the occasion. For millions of Pakistanis back home and the Diaspora, these milli naghme — or national songs — are a staple diet. Most Pakistanis know the ones rendered by famous artistes by heart.
Ambassador Muhemmed Aejaz, it turns out, has made a personal score.
Talking to Gulf Times, he disclosed that he had himself sung, composed and produced the national song entitled Mein Hoon Pakistani (I’m a Pakistani). It is pivoted around the determination of an inspired nation to succeed whatever the odds. It captures the rich — and breathtaking — diversity of landscapes and people of different ages and background that give the country its pluralistic bent.
The foot-tapping score playing in the embassy’s auditorium Monday won liberal praise from the audience. It is available on Youtube: https://youtu.be/NjbXMBEoySk
The proceedings began with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an. Officers of the Pakistan embassy read out messages of the President and Prime Minister.
In his message, President Dr Arif Alvi congratulated the nation and underlined the need for introspection. “We should reflect on the nation’s progress so far, prevailing challenges, and opportunities for growth. It is a time to renew our commitment to building a stronger and more prosperous Pakistan as envisioned by the Father of the Nation Quiad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” he said.
The president exhorted Pakistanis to work for the welfare and uplift of deprived sections of society and pledge to uphold the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, forgiveness, socio-economic justice, and moral and ethical values, as enunciated by Islam.
“There is a need to unite to cope with the social, political, economic and security challenges facing the nation today. So let’s resolve that we will not hesitate to offer any sacrifice for the security, prosperity, and development of the country,” President Alvi said.
Whilst also congratulating the nation on the Independence Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who later in the day passed on the mantle to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar at the end of his government’s tenure, recalled the two lessons in the freedom struggle that he felt stood out in the creation of Pakistan.
“One, unity was one of the most remarkable aspects of Pakistan's independence that emerged from a diverse tapestry of cultures, languages, and ethnicities. The 14th of August is not only a celebration of political freedom; it is a testament to the ability of a nation to come together to overcome mammoth challenges. Pakistan's flag, with its green representing the Muslim majority and white symbolising religious minorities, embodies the principle of unity in diversity that continues to shape the nation's identity,” the outgoing PM said.
“Second, no obstacle is too insurmountable to be overcome if a person is driven by a deep sense of purpose. Self-belief ignites the imagination of nations and powers their journey towards the destination,” he pointed out.
In his message on the occasion, Ambassador Muhemmed Aejaz felicitated fellow Pakistanis, saying the day refreshes the enthusiasm and rejuvenates the resolve of the nation to work for the progress and prosperity of the motherland.
“The day serves as a reminder of the immense sacrifices rendered by our forefathers to achieve a sovereign, independent Islamic state. It inspires all Pakistanis to serve the country with greater dedication in order to carry the national flag, which symbolises nation’s hopes and aspirations even higher,” he said.
The ambassador commended the Pakistani community in Qatar, which he said was imbibed with the love of their country and eager to participate in its progress and development. He expressed the confidence that the Pakistani community, which is a “living bridge” between Pakistan and Qatar, in their practices and dealings would present the true image of Pakistan in keeping with the ideals and teachings of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and National Poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in their true spirit.
Ambassador Aejaz expressed his thanks to His Highness Shiekh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the leadership of the State of Qatar for hosting the Pakistani community in Qatar and providing them with excellent employment opportunities and living conditions.
The ambassador highlighted the strong fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Qatar, which he said are based on a shared faith, heritage and culture. He was especially sanguine about the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year, pointing out how it was reflected in the enduring relationship that had grown from strength to strength.
He assured the community that the embassy would continue to serve the Pakistani Diaspora with utmost dedication.
The celebration concluded with a cake cutting in the colours and contours of the green-and-white national flag in the presence of children mostly attired in similar colours, with prayers offered for the solidarity, progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
In his message, President Dr Arif Alvi congratulated the nation and underlined the need for introspection. “We should reflect on the nation’s progress so far, prevailing challenges, and opportunities for growth. It is a time to renew our commitment to building a stronger and more prosperous Pakistan as envisioned by the Father of the Nation Quiad-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah,” he said.
The president exhorted Pakistanis to work for the welfare and uplift of deprived sections of society and pledge to uphold the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, forgiveness, socio-economic justice, and moral and ethical values, as enunciated by Islam.
“There is a need to unite to cope with the social, political, economic and security challenges facing the nation today. So let’s resolve that we will not hesitate to offer any sacrifice for the security, prosperity, and development of the country,” President Alvi said.
Whilst also congratulating the nation on the Independence Day, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who later in the day passed on the mantle to Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar at the end of his government’s tenure, recalled the two lessons in the freedom struggle that he felt stood out in the creation of Pakistan.
“One, unity was one of the most remarkable aspects of Pakistan's independence that emerged from a diverse tapestry of cultures, languages, and ethnicities. The 14th of August is not only a celebration of political freedom; it is a testament to the ability of a nation to come together to overcome mammoth challenges. Pakistan's flag, with its green representing the Muslim majority and white symbolising religious minorities, embodies the principle of unity in diversity that continues to shape the nation's identity,” the outgoing PM said.
“Second, no obstacle is too insurmountable to be overcome if a person is driven by a deep sense of purpose. Self-belief ignites the imagination of nations and powers their journey towards the destination,” he pointed out.
In his message on the occasion, Ambassador Muhemmed Aejaz felicitated fellow Pakistanis, saying the day refreshes the enthusiasm and rejuvenates the resolve of the nation to work for the progress and prosperity of the motherland.
“The day serves as a reminder of the immense sacrifices rendered by our forefathers to achieve a sovereign, independent Islamic state. It inspires all Pakistanis to serve the country with greater dedication in order to carry the national flag, which symbolises nation’s hopes and aspirations even higher,” he said.
The ambassador commended the Pakistani community in Qatar, which he said was imbibed with the love of their country and eager to participate in its progress and development. He expressed the confidence that the Pakistani community, which is a “living bridge” between Pakistan and Qatar, in their practices and dealings would present the true image of Pakistan in keeping with the ideals and teachings of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and National Poet Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal in their true spirit.
Ambassador Aejaz expressed his thanks to His Highness Shiekh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and the leadership of the State of Qatar for hosting the Pakistani community in Qatar and providing them with excellent employment opportunities and living conditions.
The ambassador highlighted the strong fraternal bonds between Pakistan and Qatar, which he said are based on a shared faith, heritage and culture. He was especially sanguine about the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries this year, pointing out how it was reflected in the enduring relationship that had grown from strength to strength.
He assured the community that the embassy would continue to serve the Pakistani Diaspora with utmost dedication.
The celebration concluded with a cake cutting in the colours and contours of the green-and-white national flag in the presence of children mostly attired in similar colours, with prayers offered for the solidarity, progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
