Pakistan Independence Day Celebrations Highlight Strong UAE Bonds and National Unity

Pakistanis celebrated deep bonds with their home country and the UAE during Independence Day celebrations that drew them together across the Emirates. Shafqat Ali Khan, Pakistan's ambassador to the UAE, stated that commitment and love for the motherland was cause for celebration and a major focus of the 79th anniversary celebrations on Friday of independence from British rule.

“For us as a nation, Pakistan’s Independence Day is an occasion of immense pride,” he told The National. “My message to our community is to continue upholding the highest standards of professionalism and to respect the laws, traditions and values of their gracious host country.”

The celebrations, featuring performances by schoolchildren at the Pakistan embassy and consulate, demonstrated the community coming together in a spirit of unity and gratitude to the UAE.

More than 2.2 million Pakistanis live and work in the UAE, and the ambassador described the community as the “strongest pillars of the enduring Pakistan-UAE relationship”.

He noted that the festivities provided an opportunity to acknowledge their significant contribution to the UAE, while reiterating that the welfare of Pakistanis in the UAE remains one of the government of Pakistan’s highest priorities through regular and constructive engagement with UAE authorities.

Expressing gratitude to the UAE for its generosity, Mr Khan thanked the government for taking care of accommodation expenses for stranded Pakistanis and handling medical care for injured nationals. Furthermore, he emphasized Pakistan's readiness to contribute positively to regional de-escalation and lasting peace in collaboration with the UAE and other GCC partners.

Highlighting economic ties, Mr Khan pointed to 15 deals with the UAE covering ports, logistics, food security, banking, minerals, and energy, alongside a notable $10 billion investment commitment from the UAE leadership aimed at fostering high-impact projects.