Flag raised for Pakistan Day

Councillor Colin Lambert, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, Mayor Peter Rush, Simon Danczuk MP and Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE ready to raise the flag of Pakistan

The flag of Pakistan was raised at the Town Hall this morning (Friday 21 March) to commemorate Pakistan Day.

The flag was raised by Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Peter Rush. The ceremony was attended by local dignitaries including Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, Leader of the Council, Councillor Colin Lambert and local councillors.

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE, who arranges the flag raising every year, said: “It is about our heritage and providing information to the local community. It is also about our youngsters as well because they are the future.”

Flag of Pakistan being raised

Mr Shahzad was also thankful to Rochdale Council and local councillors for supporting the flag raising every year. He added: “I have to thank the Mayor for coming along and raising the flag and the council for their support every year. People come to this event and it really brings everyone together.”

MP for Rochdale, Simon Danczuk said: “It is great that we have so many people of Pakistani origin in Rochdale, not only in the community but in the business community as well. It is a pleasure to be here today.”

Students from Rochdale Girls School at the flag raising

Councillor Colin Lambert added: “This is about the cultural heritage that is brought to our borough.”

Councillor Ashley Dearnely said: “It is my pleasure to be here every year. It is great to see our town united and I think we have been lucky in that we haven’t had any issues within our town, like the riots in Oldham. People really are at the heart of our community.”

Pakistan Day celebrates the commemoration of the Lahore Resolution. The Lahore Resolution called for independent states for Muslims in north western and eastern British India. It was then decided that a separate and single state would be created. This was called Pakistan.