COLOMBO – The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Pakistani community in Sri Lanka celebrated the National Day of Pakistan on Wednesday (23) with traditional fervour and resolve to make Pakistan a strong, vibrant and progressive state. The National Day of Pakistan is celebrated on March 23 every year in memory of the struggle under the leadership of founder of Pakistan, Quaid e Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah. It is marked as a day of revitalizing and reawakening national resolve to stand firm, strong, and united against all the challenges with courage and determination.
The day’s events began with the High Commissioner of Pakistan, Major General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M) hoisting the Pakistani flag in an elegant yet simple ceremony held at the Pakistan High Commission on Wednesday morning. The High Commissioner in his remarks highlighted efforts by Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) countries at the United Nations General Assembly, which resulted in proclaiming March 15 as ‘International Day to Combat Islamophobia’. Pakistan also hosted the 48th OIC Foreign Ministers Conference on March 22-23, on the theme ‘Building Partnerships for Unity, Justice, and Development’.
Special messages by the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out by the Trade and Investment Officer and the Press Attaché, respectively. The message of the President highlighted the demand for the separate homeland to Muslims has proved to be politically correct over time. The unlawful accession of Jammu and Kashmir with India, denying the right to self-determination to Kashmiris, human rights violation in the valley, forcible disappearances, persecution of minorities, communication blockade and extra judicial killings are sufficient grounds to believe that the leadership of that time had clearly visualized what was in store for them, had remained at the mercy of Hindu majority, in undivided India, it noted.
The message by the Prime Minister of Pakistan highlighted the challenges confronting the Pakistani nation and said the Pakistani government has brought in long term reforms and initiatives to alleviate poverty and promote justice. The focus of the government remains on the marginalized segments of the society and to provide them equal opportunities, it added, noting that the Kamyab Pakistan Program offers huge economic benefits for the youth, farmers, small scale business and low cost housing sector. Our flagship initiative of Qaumi Sehat Card will provide universal health coverage to all citizens that is unprecedented in the history of our country, the message said.
The event concluded with a cake cutting ceremony commemorating the National Day. The cake was cut by the High Commissioner along with the children from the Pakistan community present at the event.
-Pakistan High Commission/Colombo