BURJ SHINES IN PAKISTAN COLOURS
Burj Khalifa is lit up in Pakistan national colours to mark its Resolution Day.
Early in the morning, visitors began to arrive: Several walked in with flags draped over their shoulders while others were all dressed up in their national colours.
Despite the possibility of a rainshower, they all came to celebrate the 79th National Day of Pakistan at the Pakistan Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai. A flagraising ceremony kicked off the festivities, and it was followed by the performances of students who sang and danced their hearts out.
As the Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE, Moazzam Ahmad Khan, congratulated the Pakistani community, he also recalled how the country has grown strong after all the challenges it had faced since its inception.
On this day, the Muslims of the subcontinent resolved to achieve a separate homeland in order to lead their lives with dignity, honour and freedom, the ambassador said.
Khan thanked the “friends of Pakistan”, particularly the UAE, that stood by its side during the difficult times and contributed to its development. He said the meetings between the Emirati and Pakistani leadership in recent months have turned bilateral relations into strategic partnerships.
Addressing the celebrations in Dubai, Ahmed Amjad Ali, the Consul-General of Pakistan, asked Pakistanis to “remember and honour the sacrifices that had been made by their elders in creating the nation”.
“We need to honour their struggle and work towards building a greater nation. We also need to remain dedicated to our nation, and remember that there are far more things that unite us than those which separate us. We cannot allow ourselves to be divided because of religion or language — we are all Pakistanis.”
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Ali elaborated on the challenges that needed to be faced in the coming years. “We all have to work together to tackle the issues of poverty, education and extremism. Right now, our biggest challenge is to ensure that our economy continues to grow sustainably, and that every Pakistani back home and abroad is on board for this growth.”
Pakistani expats, on the other hand, took a moment to remember what they missed the most about home. Dubai resident Safa Yakoob said she missed the sense of community. “I miss the atmosphere, the streets, the rickshaws, people playing cricket, the birds, the food vendors and the tailors. Over here, it is very difficult to find a good tailor, but back home, you can find one in almost every street. I also miss going out and buying delicious fruits when they are in season.”
Yakoob added that she was looking forward to her next visit to Karachi during the holidays.
Fatemah Goga, another resident who is also from Karachi, said she missed the sights, sounds, and smell of her hometown. “What I miss most are the food and the hospitality of people. The evenings in the city streets usually come alive with lots of different food vendors, and the scent of barbeque is heavenly. There was this one place we used to visit to get soup during winter, and I miss the taste of that soup.”
Expat Zareen Khan, on the other hand, said: “I think what I miss the most about Pakistan are the four seasons.”
Khan also talked about the unforgettable beauty of the country. “I love the sound of the wind in the mountains and the rivers that flow through the valleys. In spring, you get lots of flowers that bloom and create a wonderful natural perfume.
“I am an outdoors type of person, and there is no shortage of beautiful places to visit back home. I also love visiting all the historic sites in cities such as Lahore and researching all the old tales that they have to tell. I look forward to visiting and exploring new places every time I go home.”
Shabir Mir, a Pakistani artist in Dubai, also spoke about the natural beauty that explorers can find in various parts of Pakistan. “There is so much to see, from stunning mountain ranges to gorgeous waterfalls. You can enjoy history, good food and the friendliness of people. It is a real treat for those who are fond of being close to nature and relaxing environments.”