Agencies/IslamabadPakistani President Asif Ali Zardrai and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani called for unity to defeat violent extremism in their speeches on the country’s Independence Day, celebrated yesterday.The celebrations began with a 31-gun salute at the federal capital and 21-gun salute at all the provincial headquarters.Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani hoisted the national flag in Islamabad after he delivered a speech at the city’s Jinnah Convention Centre and said the security forces have defeated armed militants.President Asif Zardari formally inaugurated the celebrations earlyyesterday and told a gathering that the parliament, democracy, people of the country and the Pakistan army would together face all challenges and give due status and position to the country which it deserves in the international community.He also appealed to all political forces and intellectuals to come forward for dialogue with the government so that the country could be made a strong, stable and prosperous state and provide a bright future for coming generations.
Addressing the audience at the flag hoisting ceremony, Prime Minister Gilani pointed out that the country had successfully taken on the challenge of terrorism and extremism in line with national interest and global commitments.“The government, with the support of the people of Pakistan, has made significant strides in fighting terrorism. The nation and its security forces have rendered huge sacrifices to protect the national identity and preserve the sovereignty of Pakistan against all odds,” he said.The Pakistan army chief general, Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, in his speech acknowledged the sacrifices of soldiers and citizens in the war on terror and paid tribute to their families.“Their sacrifices, undoubtedly, underscore the nation’s ability and commitment to deal with any threat to the integrity, sovereignty and the well being of Pakistan,” general Kayani told the participants of Independence Day parade and flag hoisting ceremony at Pakistan military academy Abbotabad.Meanwhile flag hoisting celebrations were held at all the Pakistan embassies and consulates. People hoisted the national flag at their homes and businesses abroad.
Formal ceremonies were held in Berlin, Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Kabul, Nairobi, Ankara, Jakarta, Singapore, Seoul and many other places.Messages of President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani were read and children in traditional dresses presented national songs and folk dances.Members of Pakistani community in the United Arab Emirates celebrated the Pakistan Independence Day with traditional fervour, enthusiasm and simplicity.A flag hoisting ceremony was held at the premises of the Pakistan embassy, Abu Dhabi. Ambassador of Pakistan in UAE, Jamil Ahmed Khan, unfurled the national flag in the presence of a large number of Pakistani community members, their families and embassy officials. Messages from the president and prime minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion.Ambassador Jamil Ahmed Khan highlighted the significance of Independence Day and said, “we pledge to put our heart and soul together to make Pakistan a strong and stable nation”. He said the UAE had been Pakistan’s steadfast friend and the close ties between the two countries exemplified the finest in diplomatic and economic relationship.
Khan said Pakistan was confident that its relations with the UAE would continue to grow from strength to strength under the leadership of President Zardari and President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Referring to the prosperity that could be achieved, the ambassador mentioned that Pakistan in next 10 years would be a great economy because of its location and settlement of the Afghanistan issue in the near future.This will open new vistas in the central Asian countries and beyond, he added.Ambassador Jamil Ahmed Khan urged the Pakistan community in the United Arab Emirates to renew their commitment to serve their country. A separate flag-hoisting ceremony was held at the Pakistan Consulate, Dubai where Tariq Iqbal Soomro, the consul general of Pakistan unfurled the national flag.Pakistan’s Ambassador to Germany, Shahid Kamal, urged the Pakistani community to maintain unity amongst their ranks and to develop closer ties with the German people to promote friendship between the two countries. Ambassador of Pakistan to France, Shafkat Saeed, urged the gathering to renew its pledge to work towards the progress, prosperity and well being of Pakistan .Charge d’ Affaires Wajid Hassan Hashmi congratulated the community, and prayed for the continued prosperity and to renew their commitment to serve their homeland with great vigour.The Pakistan High Commissioner to Malaysia, Masood Khalid, said the day was a reminder to all to protect the hard-won freedom and work for modern and progressive nation. He asked the community to be the true ambassadors of Pakistan, winning hearts and minds and commanding respect and goodwill through their strength of character and deeds of kindness.Flag sellers vie to stock largest collectionPakistani flags in all designs and sizes were displayed at Lahore’s Ganpat Road near Urdu Bazaar. Locals claim the area is the starting point for any major celebrations in the province pertaining to Independence Day. The zeal has a unique impact on popular culture and generally leads to an ostentatious display of passion amongst those living in the vicinity. “The flag is the fashion statement here. Everyone is looking for spaces to decorate and things to turn green and white these days,” said 65-year-old Babar Sattar who is the proud owner of one of the biggest flag shops in the market that houses around 2,000 to 4,000 flags as well as T-shirts and other clothing. “Every year it turns into somewhat of a competition as neighbours compete privately on who can own the biggest flag and so on,” he adds. The market is flooded with flags available in different materials such as paper, plastic, nylon and of course, cloth.Sattar, who voluntarily adds the name Jandawala (flag seller) to his name, seems as excited as some of the families who come to buy flags and apparel. For most people, the tradition stems from culture as the reason to celebrate unites all Pakistanis.