FLAG HOISTING CEREMONY TO MARK 69TH INDEPENDENCE DAY OF PAKISTAN HELD AT PAKISTAN HOUSE (CONSUL GENERAL’S OFFICIAL RESIDENCE), SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ON FRIDAY, 14 AUGUST 2015.
MR ABDUL AZIZ UQAILI, CONSUL GENERAL & TRADE COMMISSIONER OF PAKISTAN BASED IN SYDNEY, RAISED PAKISTANI FLAG AND LED SPECIAL PRAYERS IN SYDNEY
SYDNEY, 14 August, 2015: It was a bright sunny day and a very pleasant weather in Sydney on Friday morning when at 10.00 am, on the occasion of Pakistan’s 69th Independence Day, Pakistani flag was hoisted in PAKISTAN HOUSE at 5 Ryrie Street, Mosman (Sydney), NSW, Australia. Mr. Abdul Aziz Uqaili, the Consul General & Trade Commissioner of Pakistan, in the presence of large number of Pakistani community members in New South Wales State of Australia, slowly and gradually raised the green and white Pakistani flag, while the national anthem was played in the background. It was a proud moment for all those present when they sang “Pak Sir Zameen Shad Bad …..”, the national anthem of Pakistan, while Pakistani flag was being upraised at Pakistan House.
Mr. Uqaili, soon after assuming his official responsibilities in Sydney in early 2013, had introduced an essential and much desired tradition of organizing a formal ceremony to mark the independence anniversary of our beloved homeland Pakistan in Sydney. This was third year in a row that the function was held at the same venue.
Despite being a working day, a large number of Pakistanis, both ladies and gents, working and residing in different parts of New South Wales warmly welcomed the invitation of the Consul General and participated in the ceremony. Few families also brought their children to the ceremony. It was an open invitation to all Pakistanis in Australia, which was announced, in all leading community newspapers (both printed or online), periodicals and magazines of Sydney.
Most of the guests reached Pakistan House half an hour before the time of flag hoisting, therefore, the ceremony started sharp on time at 10.00 AM with the recitation from the Holy Quran by Maulana Nazeerul Hassan Thanvi, followed by the flag hoisting, which was performed by Consul General, Mr. Abdul Aziz Uqaili, along with other Pakistani diplomats and community members. Ms. Bushra, the Vice Consul, who recently replaced Consul Shifaat Kaleem, read the Independence Day messages of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, while Mr. Abdul Aziz delivered the message of the President of Pakistan. This time both the messages were delivered both in Urdu and English.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Abdul Aziz Uqaili, lauded the invaluable services of the expatriate Pakistanis for supporting their homeland and its economy particularly through forex remittances, investments and professional services. The Consul General also appreciated the support of the community members in making Consulate’s initiatives and endeavours successful. He informed the community that, since the day he took over, he is following an open door policy in the Consulate premises, besides reaching out to the community in their public programmes or other events. He stated that irrespective of their origin, the faith they profess and the language they speak, the Consul General and all the staff of the Consulate were serving the community with devotion and dedication. They were at their service all the time and, in case of any emergency, happily respond to the call of the community members. He stressed the need to remain united and to shun petty differences among us for the sake of country and our nation.
Pakistani children, clad in colourful Pakistani constumes, performed on four popular national songs and enthralled the audience. The Consul General lauded the services of Ms. Shafaq Jaffri, a leading community and social worker and a prominent Australian Pakistan, who had trained and guided these children, to perform before the audience. Finally, Maulana Thanvi offered prayers (dua) for the integrity and solidarity of Pakistan and the nation.
In the end, traditional morning cuisine of Pakistan – halwa poori, aaloo chanay, haleem, nihari, naan and karhak tea – was served to all the guests.
The photos can be seen below :
