Pakistan celebrates 70th Independence Day

Pakistan HC to India hoists national flag at his office in New Delhi to commemorate country’s Independence Day

Pakistan on Sunday celebrated its 70th Independence Day.  Ceremonies were held in Islamabad as well as the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and the Pakistani embassy in Kabul to commemorate the day.

The day began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital along with a 21-gun salute in each provincial capital. Flag hoisting ceremonies were held in the provincial capitals and district headquarters and change of guard ceremony was held at Mazar-e-Quaid.

The main ceremony of the day was held at Islamabad's Convention Centre, where President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif hoisted the national flag.

Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi celebrates

Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit in his Independence Day message said the country will continue to extend its full diplomatic, political and moral support to the valiant people of Jammu & Kashmir till they get their right to self-determination.

The high commissioner expressed these remarks at the Independence Day ceremony held at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi to commemorate the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan.

Earlier, the Pakistani flag was hoisted by the high commissioner at an elegant and impressive flag hoisting ceremony held on the Chancery’s lush green lawns, said a statement.

70th Independence Day Celebrated at Pakistan High Commission, New Delhi pic.twitter.com/LEe04oThz9

— Pakistan High Commission India (@PakinIndia) August 14, 2016

Speaking on the occasion, Basit highlighted the significance of the independence movement and the huge sacrifices rendered by “our forefathers to realise the dream, namely, Pakistan.”

The Pakistani diplomat emphasised that Pakistan was a blessing and that it was destined to become a bastion of peace and prosperity. “The people of Pakistan are united to overcome the internal and external challenges and thwart all conspiracies aimed at destabilising the country.”

Regarding relations with India, Basit said Pakistan has always desired and endeavoured to have cooperative relations with its nuclear-armed neighbour on the basis of sovereign equality and peaceful resolution of the bilateral disputes.

Referring to the ongoing unrest in the occupied Kashmir, the diplomat stressed that the political aspiration of the people of Jammu & Kashmir could not be suppressed nor could anyone belittle or wish away their legitimate struggle and enormous sacrifices.

“It is incumbent upon the international community to ensure implementation of the relevant UN resolutions to settle the long-standing Kashmir dispute.”



Meanwhile, Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah also read out the Independence Day messages from President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Later, wife of the high commissioner, Summiya Basit, gave away prizes and gifts to teachers and children of the Pakistani High Commission School who presented national songs and tableaus at the ceremony.