Mussarat Khalil

Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Pakistani community here celebrated their 68th Independence day with joy and enthusiasm.  The day started with flag-hoisting ceremony at the residence of Pakistani Consul General Aftab Ahmad Khokher. A large number of prominent Pakistani members and their families living in Jeddah attended the flag-hoisting and cake cutting ceremony. Noted playback singer, Shahzad Nabi rendered a patriotic song titled "Chaand Mare Zameen Phool Mera Watan" (Moon is my land while my dear homeland is a flower).



Pakistan International School Jeddah- Aziziyyah’s seventh standard student Ali Reza along with Hamza Anwar, Saeed Anwar, Absar and others sang national songs beautifully. While Tuba, a young girl, read out a loving poem on Pakistan.



Consul General Aftab Khoker read out the messages of President, Mamnoon Hussain and the prime minister, Mohammed Nawaz Sharif.



In his address to the community members, Consul General Aftab Khokhar highlighted the importance of the day and said that Pakistan is our identity and it was earned through immense sacrifices.



Khokher urged members of the community to be unite their ranks and work collectively to achieve the objectives laid down by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and transfer a peaceful, strong and prosperous Pakistan to our future generations where they can live in respect.



He urged the Pakistani community to be disciplined in working for the development of both the Kingdom and Pakistan.



He marked the Independence Day with a cake cutting ceremony along with guests and consulate staff.



Earlier, the function began with the recitation of verses from the Holy Qur'an by Qari Abdul Hasseb and the rendition of the national anthem.



The Head of Chancery (HOC) Pakistan Consulate, Junaid Wazir, welcomed the guests, including distinguished Saudis, who came to felicitate Pakistanis.



To mark the day, special supplements were also published by Saudi Gazette and other newspapers.