A major patriotic Pakistani gathering in Saint Roch Park
A joyful celebration held on Saturday August 15 at Parc Extension’s Saint Roch Park marked the 80th anniversary of the creation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
It attracted a good-size crowd of patriotic Pakistanis who enjoyed singing, traditional dancing and stirring addresses.
Various artists and singers from the Pakistani community were invited to perform, while bazaar and food concession operators also took part in the celebration organized jointly by the Pakistan Association of Quebec and the Himalaya Seniors of Quebec.
A very busy weekend
Dignitaries, including MNAs, municipal officials and representatives of different cultural communities, were also invited to grace the occasion with their presence.
For some of the local elected officials, Pakistan Independence Day was just one of a series of commemorative events taking place over a single weekend, making it their busiest time of the year.
“I warmly welcome all of you and our elected members and the community leaders,” Vathany Srikandarajah, a longtime leader within the Himalaya Seniors, said in an address prior to the start of the festivities.
“Today’s celebration is a wonderful opportunity for us to remember the roots and to celebrate our culture, our language and our faith, our values and traditions, and sharing with future generations and our children,” she added.
A big day in Pakistan
Every year, Pakistan’s national independence day is celebrated all over the country and in many parts of the world with flag raising ceremonies, tributes to their national heroes and fireworks in the capital, Islamabad.
The main celebration takes place in the capital, where the President and Prime Minister raise the national flag at the Presidential and Parliament buildings and deliver speeches that are televised live.
In the speech, the leaders highlight the achievements of the government, goals set for the future and (in the words of the father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam), bring “Unity, Faith and Discipline” to the people.
