R) Wali Qasim, group leader of the Raga Boys, Farooq Naek, chairman of the senate of Pakistan, Tariq Mishkhas, editor-in-chief of Urdu News, Ayaz Ahmed Khan, charge d'affaires at the Pakistan Embassy, Qamar Siddiquee Raja, link officer, teachers, students and the well-known signer Shazia Manzoor, take part in the cake-cutting ceremony in celebration of Pakistan Day on Thursday night. (Saudi Gazette photo by Fouzia Khan) JEDDAH: Pakistan International School Jeddah (PISJ English Section) celebrated Thursday the 71st Pakistan Day by holding an art and science exhibition with the theme “Rising Pakistan” and a cultural program at the school premises. The chief guest Farooq Naek, chairman of the senate of Pakistan, and the guest of honor, Ayaz Ahmed Khan, the charge d'affaires at the Pakistan Embassy, inaugurated the event in the presence of Qamar Siddiquee Raja, link officer, Sehar Kamran, principal of PISJ, Saudi dignitaries, chief editors of Saudi newspapers, diplomats, well-known Pakistani singers, students and parents. Kamran welcomed the guests and spoke about PISJ and the importance of Pakistan Day which is celebrated on March 23. “The objective of organizing this event is to highlight the significance of Pakistan Day, to educate our students about the history and culture of Pakistan and to provide a platform for the Pakistan community to celebrate the day with zest and zeal,” Kamran said. “Today is not only for celebration, but also to realize the importance of independence and revive our pledge to our motherland. We all must keep our flag flying high and work together for a prosperous and sovereign Pakistan, and not to forget to pay tribute to those who sacrificed and struggled for the creation of our country,” she added. The chief guest Farooq Naek also congratulated the guests and audience on the day and provided them with a brief history of Pakistan, the importance of its formation, and historical facts regarding Pakistan Day. “We face many economic challenges in our country because of the flood. Pakistan has, however, always played an important role in the development of the south Asia region. I must thank the government of Saudi Arabia and the Pakistani community living in Saudi Arabia who always joined hands in the times of devastation. I must say the members of the Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia are true ambassadors of our country,” Naek said. He told the Pakistani community that the government and people of Pakistan looked forward to their support. “I am looking for your help in creating a society in Pakistan which would be an ideal of democracy, brotherhood, and nationalism and which would provide the world with a positive image of a peaceful and prosperous Pakistan,” he said. PISJ students performed a colorful program with different plays, patriotic songs, folk songs and folk dances, and the singing of Shazia Manzoor and the Raga Boys captured the hearts of the audience which celebrated the evening with enthusiasm.
