The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Pakistani community based in Sri Lanka celebrated the 79th National Day of Pakistan with traditional fervour at the High Commission premises yesterday morning. High Commissioner of Pakistan, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Dr. Shahid Ahmad Hashmat unfurled the Pakistani flag to the tune of Pakistan’s national anthem.
The National Day of Pakistan is celebrated on March 23 every year in remembrance of the historic 1940 resolution passed in Lahore, calling for a separate homeland for Muslims of the subcontinent that ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.
Messages by the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out, in which both the leaders highlighted the importance of the day and paid tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal and other leaders of the Pakistan Movement. At the end of ceremony, a cake was cut by the High Commissioner along with children.
Media representatives were also present.