ISLAMABAD: A flag hoisting ceremony was held at Pakistan House, Singapore, to commemorate the 83rd National Day of Pakistan on Thursday.

Due to its being a working day falling during the holy month of Ramadan, the Mission restricted the gathering to the High Commission’s staff. High Commissioner, Ms Rukhsana Afzaal, hoisted the flag to the tune of the National Anthem, followed by the messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan, read out by Press Counsellor, Muhammad Saleem, says a press release.

The ceremony ended with prayers for the security, stability, and economic prosperity of the country in line with the vision of our founding fathers. Earlier, on 20th March 2023, the High Commission hosted the National Day ceremony at the Orchard Hotel Singapore, fully sponsored by the Pakistani Diaspora, where Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport Mr Chee Hong Tat was the Guest of Honour.

Two lady Parliamentarians Ms Foo Mee Har and Ms Ng Ling Ling also graced the occasion with their presence. While congratulating the government and people of Pakistan on this auspicious occasion, the Senior Minister of State highlighted the contribution of the Pakistani Diaspora to the development of key sectors of the Singaporean economy.

He underlined the potential of close cooperative relations between the two countries in the food, tech, digital economy, and renewable energy sectors. High Commissioner Ms Rukhsana Afzaal reaffirmed the importance attached by Pakistan to its relations with Singapore and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to further enhancing this partnership in diverse fields.

Dr Shahzad Nasim, Chairman of Meinhardt, who was nominated for conferment of Sitara e Imtiaz in 2019 but could not receive it due to the lockdown, was decorated on the occasion, in the presence of Singaporean dignitaries, diplomatic corps, media persons, and Pakistani diaspora.

A cake-cutting ceremony was also held to mark the 83rd National Day of Pakistan. The guests enjoyed sumptuous Pakistani cuisine from the famous Kebabchi Charcoal BBQ Restaurant. A video clip especially prepared by Phool Patti Truck Artists group for the occasion was also screened, which received great appreciation from the guests.

A large number of people from a cross-section of Singaporean society, including senior officials, think tanks, media persons, civil society organizations, Pakistani students, and Diaspora attended the event with great enthusiasm, as it was the first such gathering hosted by the High Commission in three years, due to the Covid related lockdown.