20000324

Pakistan Day

celebrated

in Beijing

BEIJING: Pakistan Day was celebrated with great fervour and enthusiasm here on Thursday.

The Day commenced with the national flag-hoisting ceremony in the Chancery. The Ambassador of Pakistan to China Riaz Hussain Khokhar performed the ceremony. He read out the message of President Mohammad Rafique Tarar and Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf on the occasion. Members of Pakistani community, officers, staff of the embassy and their families attended the ceremony.

Highlighting the significance of the Day, the Ambassador in his address said that the March 23 is a unique day in our national history. It was on this day that the historic resolution for the establishment of an independent and a sovereign country for the Muslims of South Asia was adopted in 1946. Under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammd Ali Jinnah, the Muslims of the sub-Continent succeeded in achieving independence on August 14, 1947.

He paid rich tributes to the Muslims of South Asia who had launched the struggle for freedom and gave unprecedented sacrifices for an independent and sovereign Pakistan. Extending his felicitation to Pakistani community he called upon them to work unitedly and selflessly to make Pakistan a strong and prosperous country which was prepared to face the challenges of the 21st century.

Referring to the policies initiated by the present Government, the Ambassador mentioned the seven-point agenda announced by the Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf which, inter-alia, aimed at rebuilding national confidence, revival of the country's economy and restoration of investor's confidence. He said the measures taken in this regard have shown positive results and the country was now back on the road to stability and economic revival.

Later, a reception for Pakistani community was held at the Embassy.

The Chinese electronic and print media gave prominent coverage to Pakistan's National Day. CCTV telecast special documentary on Pakistan.

China Radio International, China National Radio, and Beijing Radio, broadcast Ambassador Riaz H. Khokhar's interviews and relayed other special programmes befitting the occasion.

China Daily and Xinhua News published the ambassador's interviews, highlighting importance of the Day and the various aspects of Pakistan China relations. Other leading Chinese dailies published special articles and photographs on socio-economic development in Pakistan.ÑAPP