BRUSSELS: The 74th Independence Day of Pakistan was observed with patriotic zeal and spirit at Pakistan Embassy, Brussels, today.
Keeping in view the COVID 19 pandemic all necessary SOPs were observed during a graceful ceremony with participation of the Embassy officials.
The Pakistan’s flag was hoisted by Pakistan’s Ambassador to the European Union, Belgium and Luxembourg H.E Zaheer A. Janjua at the Embassy.
The special messages of the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out by Counsellor, Mr Daud Ehtisham and First Secretary, Mr Ali Sattar respectively. The Pakistani leadership in their separate messages paid glowing tributes to the sacrifices of Pakistan’s forefathers. They vowed to transform Pakistan in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal. Pakistani leadership also expressed solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, who are facing military siege since past one year and reassured Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support for their right to self-determination.
In his message on the occasion, Ambassador Zaheer A. Janjua said that this day reminds us of the historic struggle of our founding-fathers for an independent homeland where we could live our lives with complete religious, cultural and social freedoms. He stressed the importance of the vision of Poet-Philosopher, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and ideals of Quaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who envisaged Pakistan to be a progressive, moderate and democratic country.
Underscoring the importance of the role of Overseas Pakistanis, he urged the Pakistan community living in Belgium and Luxembourg to make a firm resolve to undertake all possible efforts for the development and prosperity of our beloved country. The Embassy of Pakistan in Brussels stands ready and remains available to support their endeavours, he assured.
Ambassador Janjua emphasized that while marking this important day, we should not forget our brothers and sisters, suffering under the Indian Illegal Occupation in Jammu and Kashmir. He elaborated that Kashmiris continue to undergo unabated violence, inhumane treatment and military siege by the State of India. The grave human rights violations by India have been exposed by reports of the United Nations and its human rights mechanisms, international media, human rights organizations and world parliaments and parliamentarians, he added.
He said that Pakistan stands firmly with its Kashmiri brethren and would continue to extend all possible political, diplomatic and moral support in their just struggle for the right to self-determination, which is guaranteed by the UN Security Council Resolutions.