Flag raised for Independence Day of Pakistan

Dignitaries join with Ghulam Rasul Shahzad for the flag raising ceremony

The Pakistani Flag was raised outside the Rochdale Town Hall on Saturday (13 August) for the 64th Independence Day of Pakistan.

The flag was raised by Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE.

The ceremony was attended by dignitaries from across the borough, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Rochdale, Simon Danczuk MP, Jim Dobbin MP, leaders, councillors and members of the Pakistani community.

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE recited verses of the holy Qur'an, welcomed everyone and gave a brief history of the independence of Pakistan on 14 August, 1947.

He said: “About a million people gave their lives to create Pakistan on the map of the world. Pakistan and overseas Pakistanis have made progress in all walks of life both in Pakistan and abroad.”

He thanked the people of Rochdale, Rochdale Council, Police, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, and other organisations for supporting the flag raising for the last 20 years and also the twinning of Rochdale with Sahiwal - a town in Pakistan.

He added: “Rochdale is our and our future generations’ homeland. We should be proud of having the Pakistani heritage but we should also work hard with all communities in Rochdale to make Rochdale a better, more prosperous and safer place for everyone.”