Flag Raising on Pakistan Day

Flag Raising on Pakistan Day, with Councillor Karen Burke, Deputy Mayor Councillor James Gartside, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE JP, Chief Inspector Nadeem Mir

Pakistan Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm to mark the 72nd anniversary of the passing of the Pakistan resolution on 23 March 1940 at Lahore. Deputy Mayor, Councillor James Gartside, Member of Parliament, Simon Danczuk, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, Councillor Zaman, Chief Inspector Nadeem Mir, leaders and members of the community attended.

Hafiz Ikram Akhtar recited the verses of the holy Qur’an.

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE JP, Chairman of the Action for Pakistan International welcomed everyone, thanked them for attending and provided the background of the day. He said it was on 23 March, 1940, when, under the inspiring and great leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, more than 100,000 delegates of the Muslim League, gathered at Minto (Now Iqbal ) Park , Lahore, to ask for a separate homeland for the Muslims of India. After a vigorous struggle for seven years, it became a reality on 14 August, 1947.

The name “Pakistan“ was coined by Choudhary Rehmat Ali, a barrister in Cambridge. He took “P” from Punjab,” A” from Afghania i.e. North West Frontier Province, “K” from Kashmir, “S” from Sindh and “Tan” from Baluchistan. Literally it means the “Land of the pure.”

He said that Pakistanis were celebrating the Pakistan Day with great enthusiasm. They have contributed to the economy of the UK and in particularly Rochdale. He said we should be proud of our Pakistani heritage but we live in Rochdale and we should play our full part in Rochdale and the UK life. He thanked Rochdale Council, Police, MP’s, Councillors and the people of Rochdale for supporting it for many years.

Simon Danczuk, MP, for Rochdale said that it was a special day for Pakistani community. He praised them and their valuable contribution to the local economy. He said that he has been to Pakistan and enjoyed his visit and the historical places and saw the culture. He wished them well.

Councillor Ashley Dearnley said he would like to congratulate the Pakistani community for the Pakistan Day and the contribution they have made in Rochdale. He said Rochdale is the hometown of all people who live in this historical town.

The Deputy Mayor, Councillor James Gartside said he was pleased to be invited to the flag raising of the Pakistan to mark the 72 anniversary of the passing of the Pakistan Resolution on 23 March 1940. He said Pakistani community has been actively involved in the local life and has contributed a lot, which is appreciated. He has been attending the flag raising for many years and was pleased to see the contribution by the local Pakistani community.

The Pakistani flag was raised and the national anthem was sung by the attendees.