Community celebrates Pakistan Independence Day

Local dignitaries gather outside the town hall for the raising of the Pakistani flag.

The 62nd anniversary of Pakistan's independence was celebrated at Rochdale Town Hall this morning (Friday 14 August).

Rochdale's Mayor, Councillor Keith Swift, joined Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin, local councillors, community leaders and members of the public to raise the Pakistani flag.

Maulana Mohammad Azam Chishti of the Chishtiah Mosque recited from the Qur’an by and led the prayer after the ceremony.

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad, Chairman of Action for Pakistan, International, who organised the event, welcomed and thanked everyone.

He said that the independence day of Pakistan is very important in the life of the Pakistani nation. This is the day when Pakistan emerged as an independent and sovereign nation and the day when over a million people sacrificed their lives to create Pakistan and give its people their nationality.

"Pakistanis have made tremendous progress over the last 62 years and have contributed a lot to build the economy of the United Kingdom and will continue to play their part in building positive relationships with all the communities living in Rochdale in particular and the United Kingdom in general," he said.