Pakistan Day was celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm at the Pakistan House in New York and Pakistan Embassy in Washington on Thursday attended by UN Secretary General and State Department officials. Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi welcomed the UN Secretary General Antonia Guterres as he arrived at the Pakistan House. Speaking on the occasion, the secretary general acknowledged that the country has been at the forefront in hosting Afghan refugees.
Pakistan is a beautiful country and he is pleased to participate in the Pakistan Day celebrations, he added.
In an interview with a Pakistani TV channel, Lodhi said that the participation of foreign dignitaries in Pakistan Day celebration reflects the defeat of those quarters who aspire to diplomatically isolate the country. "Pakistan has a bright future. And on this day let's remember those who gave their efforts in making this country," she said. Maleeha Lodhi paid tributes to Quaid-e-Azam and the sacrifices made by the Muslims of the subcontinent for the creation of Pakistan. Since its independence, she said, Pakistan has made much progress although challenges still need to be negotiated.
Efforts are being made by the government to realise the Quaid's vision for the country and to defeat militancy and terrorism, she added. Ambassador in Washington, Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry at a reception in the US Capital said that "Pakistan Day" reminded us of the need to uphold democratic ideals and principles that inspired the Muslims of the subcontinent to forge unity in their ranks in pursuit of their cherished dream. He characterised the 77th Pakistan Day as being particularly important since the nation would be celebrating 70th anniversary of independence this year.
Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry highlighted resounding success of Pakistan in the campaign against terrorism and the recent economic turnaround that had helped situate Pakistan prominently among one of the fastest growing economies in Asia. Ambassador emphasised that Pakistan was well on its way to a future of peace and prosperity. Leadership, security forces and the people of Pakistan had demonstrated unanimity and supreme resolve in eliminating terrorism from the country.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.