RUZAIK FAROOK and MOHAMMED NASSAR
COLOMBO : Being key members of SAARC, Sri Lanka and Pakistan share strong bonds of friendship and brotherhood, High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Sri Lanka, Maj. Gen (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI(M) said here in Colombo on Sunday.
Burki was speaking at the Diamond Jubilee” of independence of Pakistan.
“ We have stood with our Sri Lankan brothers and sisters through thick and thin and so have they and we will continue to do so,” the diplomat said.
Burki hoisted the national flag of Pakistan to the tune of the national anthem in a vibrant and colorful ceremony at the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo.
In his remarks, the High Commissioner of Pakistan, said 14th August is the day of happiness; a day of bowing our heads before Almighty Allah in thankfulness and a day of renewing our pledge that we will continue to work with unity, faith and discipline for the objectives, for which Pakistan was created. Today we remember our forefathers and martyrs and pay our gratitude to them for making extraordinary sacrifices to give us an independent homeland.
Among the special attendees were, Nasser Yonis Alfurjani, Ambassador of Libya, Ambassador of Iran Hashem Ashjazadeh, Biswash Bhatta, Charge d’ Affaires a.i, of Nepal,Hihsam Abutaha, Charge d’ Affairs, Palestine, Lee (Commercial Attaché) Representative from the Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, Afzal Marikar, Honorary Consul of Pakistan in Kandy and former Western Province Governor Azath Salley attended the morning event
The event was also attended by officers of PNS Taimur which is port calling Colombo these days.
Ms. Asmma Kamal, Trade & Investment Attaché, read out the message of the President of Pakistan, H. E. Dr Arif Alvi, quoting, “On the joyous occasion of the 75th anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence, I extend my heartiest felicitations to the entire nation. This day reminds us of the innumerable sacrifices rendered by our Founding Fathers under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for carving this homeland “Pakistan” for us. Today, we also reaffirm our resolve to uphold Pakistan’s ideology and make Pakistan an ideal modern Islamic welfare nation-state.”
The message of the Prime Minister of Pakistan was read out for the audience by Ms. Kalsoom Qaiser, Attaché. The message included: “The 75th Independence Day is a watershed moment in our nation’s history. Today we pay rich tributes to Muslims of the sub-continent and express our collective gratitude to them for their heroic struggle, and epic sacrifices for the creation of a new state. The coming of Pakistan into existence was not less than a miracle that stunned friends and foes alike, beating all predictions and assessments. ( pix –Ashraff Samad)
