Pakistan expatriates excited to celebrate Independence Day

Muscat: Pakistan expatriates are all set to celebrate 77th Independence Day on Monday with a variety of programmes, including free distribution of mangoes and prayers, scheduled to mark the occasion.

Times of Oman spoke to few Pakistani citizens in Muscat and they were excited to share the happy occasion of their country’s independence.
Ameer Hamza, chairman of Board of directors of Pakistan School Muscat (PSM) and in-charge of the Asian community at the Ministry of Endowments and Religious Affairs (MARA) said: “My day on 14th of August will start with my early prayers for Pakistan. Being a chairman of the PSM’s board of directors, I will be participating in the Independence Day programme at Pakistan School Muscat. At the school, we will have the Pakistani community join us to celebrate Independence Day with a cake-cutting ceremony.”

For Zahid Shakoor, co-owner of Ravi restaurant, it is a day to share the joy and happiness of the country’s independence. “Every year on August 14th, we have a tradition to celebrate Independence Day at our Ravi Restaurant by distributing free mangoes to the Pakistani community. We also have special offers at our restaurant, and also hold special prayer sessions for the prosperity of our country.”

One of the veterans of the Pakistani community in Oman and former general secretary of Pakistan Social Club, Syed Aftab Gilani said: “This year, we have a special party arranged at Ravi Restaurant to celebrate the Independence Day. My message to our young expatriate population is that Pakistan is a nation that is built on harmony, peace, prosperity and we should make our country proud. I wish all my Pakistani brothers and sisters a very Happy Independence Day.”

Mohsin Sheikh, Managing Director of Lake City Investments LLC, shares the national pride with his friends and also attends events to mark the occasion.

He told Times of Oman, “I always celebrate Independence Day by hoisting my country’s flag on the roof of my residence. I also put on specially designed Independence Day clothes on the occasion with my family. This year we have multi-forums where I am participating as a speaker. At night we will have a special dinner organised by friends where we will cut the cake to celebrate August 14th.”

Mazhar Javed, manager at Bright Travels, said that “a party will be organised with friends and also hold discussions and have debates on ways to see how our country can prosper. This will be followed by a musical evening to conclude the celebrations in
Muscat.”

“Independence Day is very important to all Pakistanis because that is where we get our identity from,” said Danish Khan, another expatriate who works in a pharma company.

“This time of year we always think about the sacrifices made by those who helped to create Pakistan and it’s important to develop that bond of community.

“At the founding of the nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah called for a nation built upon unity, faith and discipline, and that is something we want to promote.”

Expatriates also hoped this year’s Independence Day celebrations will herald a bright future for Pakistan.

“We have seen so much politics and instability that we wish that there be a stable government who could work for the people. Inshallah, we have good governance,” said Iqbal Khan, a jeweler.

Khan added: “For most Pakistanis it’s a day that we celebrate with family and friends. The atmosphere is amazing back in Pakistan, where it is a public holiday, and a lot of expats tend to go home over the summer and celebrate the day there. For me, an outing with friends will be the way to celebrate tomorrow.”