NEW YORK: In the shadow of calamitous floods back home, hundreds of Pakistan-origin Americans gathered in New York on Sunday for the Independence Day parade marking the 75th birthday of the establishment of their homeland, with Ambassador Masood Khan saying it’s a day “we are proud of.”
Khan, Pakistan’s ambassador to the US, was the chief guest at the event, which remained suspended for two years as the world fought the coronavirus crisis.
Eric Adams, mayor of New York City, also joined the event where participants — mostly clad in national dress — chanted “Pakistan Zindabaad” (long live Pakistan) and “Quaid-i-Azam Zindabaad” (long live Quaid-i-Azam).
Proud to join our Pakistani community to celebrate 75 years of independence! pic.twitter.com/CHNL56zPBU
— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) August 28, 2022
Pakistan’s consul general in New York, Ayesha Ali, especially drew attention to the greater presence of women, observing it reflected that they were gaining leadership positions.
Khan, Ali, and Adams urged the participants to bear in mind the plight of the victims of the devastating floods back home and donate generously to the relief efforts.
“I stand with you,” the mayor said, as a loud applause rang out.
Raising slogans and waving the Pakistan and US flags, the people, standing along the route, warmly cheered the parade as it moved down one of the city’s main avenues.
For the first time, a group of Pakistan nationals serving in the New York Police Department (NYPD) marched in the parade. The group of some 150 people was led by Adeel Rana, the first deputy inspector of Pakistan-origin in the department.
12 decorated floats, with some depicting Pakistan’s progress in various fields, while others sponsored by local Pakistani businesses, also wound their way down the avenue.
Bands on the floats and on the ground struck up patriotic songs.
On the stage, Ambassador Khan was welcomed by Assad Chaudhry, finance secretary of the parade committee, who he said enjoyed an illustrious career after completing his education with flying colours.
In his remarks, the ambassador said Pakistan is suffering from the adverse impacts of climate change which is affecting all countries. The situation, he said, was difficult but Pakistan was a resilient nation and would build back better.
Addressed Pakistani American community at the Pakistan 🇵🇰Independence Day Parade in #NYC , attended by hundreds of Pakistani Americans. Appealed to them to donate generously for the flood affectees. Was touched by their fervent and forthcoming response pic.twitter.com/MnQhSqovcf
— Masood Khan (@Masood__Khan) August 28, 2022
He told the gathering that Islamabad has appealed for international help, and the UN and the European Union would launch flash appeals soon.
Speaking on the occasion, most community leaders, while expressing their views about the significance of the day, also praised Consul General Ali for the yeoman services she was rendering to her compatriots to their entire satisfaction. They said she attends all their functions and gives sympathetic hearing to their problems.
The parade committee presented plaques to Khan and Ali as well as to Mayor Adams.
The proceedings were conducted by the parade committee’s secretary-general Munir Lodhi.
The parade was rounded off with a cultural programme. Singers Nadeem Abbas and Saeeda Malik enthralled the gathering with patriotic and other hit songs.
