NEW YORK – “This is an opportunity for all of us in Pakistan to commemorate and remember the great contributions, which have been made by our forefathers, Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal who envisioned and worked hard for the formation of this country, which seemed very improbable at its birth,” said Ambassador Munir Akram at the Independence Day event held at the United Nations Head Quarters today. “This is an opportunity for us to count our blessings. If we look around the world, the benefits and blessings of freedom are visible to all Muslims in the subcontinent, and it is therefore a sad remembrance that our independence has not yet been completed. It remains to be fulfilled in the sense of our brothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir, who were denied the opportunity to exercise the right of self-determination and to join Pakistan as they wished to do”: he said.
“Pakistan was born out of the principles that are reflected in the UN Charter, in particular, the principle of self-determination, and this principle as we all know, has been responsible for the decolonization of the entire third world, the developing countries, and most of our fellow members who are members of the United Nations today are the consequence of the application of the principle of self-determination” he recalled.
Ambassador Munir Akram further said that “the Charter principles have guided the foreign policy of Pakistan, the Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said, “We want peace with all and enmity against none”. This is an encapsulation of the principles of the Charter, the principles of non-use of force and respect for sovereign equality, respect for non-interference in the internal affairs of other states. And these principles, 75 years after the founding of the United Nations remain as immutable, as important and as relevant as they were at the birth of the World Organization”.
“Pakistan has contributed significantly to the United Nations and to the work of the United Nations, we have served in the Security Council, we have served in the Economic and Social Council, we are a principal member of the United Nations peacekeeping forces” .
“On this day, let us not forget the contributions of the women of Pakistan, to the formation of Pakistan. Some of our leaders at the birth of our country were women who lead the way to independence. Some of our leaders today, are ministers, are parliamentarians, who are serving with great pride in serving the objectives and purposes of Pakistan, and in UN peacekeeping, let us not forget the female peacekeeping engagement unit which Pakistan has deployed in the DRC, our police commissioner in Sudan, our medal winners in the United Nations peacekeeping forces, these are all major contributions which Pakistan has made to the United Nations, and we will continue our commitment to United Nations which we hope will be able to lead the world to guide the world through these turbulent times, times, when global tensions are rising, when the world is afflicted by a major pandemic, when climate change threatens our very existence, these are high objectives that the United Nations is the only fit organization where we can promote the international cooperation for the achievement of these objectives”. He thanked the Deputy Secretary-General for representing the United Nations there today and expressed his hope that looks forward to the Secretary General’s report on ways and reiterated the commitment of Pakistan “to support and work for an even stronger and more effective United Nations in the years to come”.
A flag hoisting ceremony was held, where National Anthem was played and Ambassador Munir Akram, Permanent Representative of Pakistan Mission to the United Nations raised Pakistan’s flag at the solemn ceremony. Mr. Qasim Aziz, First Secretary at Pakistan Mission to the UN made opening and concluding remarks at the ceremony.
“Pakistan is a great friend of the UN, and all of you have helped nurture those strong ties and I looked at the pictures of the peacekeepers, all the way to the polo players, across that spectrum,” said Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina J. Mohammed, speaking at the ceremony. She wished the People of Pakistan saying, “on this wonderful day of independence, we wish you a Happy anniversary, and we look forward to our continued engagement”. “I have profound connections with Pakistan and see it with all its potential, and its possibilities. We know this is deeply rooted in Pakistani culture, we see it in the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, we feel it in the poetry of Allama Iqbal and we hear it in the songs of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and we are inspired by it through the giving spirit of Abdul Sattar Edhi, and the courageous example of Malala Yousuf Zai and in good old days we celebrated Pakistani cricket”: she recalled.
“The UN has worked closely with Pakistan through the years and the UN also relies heavily on Pakistan. Pakistan support in all aspects across our three pillars: She appreciated. Ambassador Amina J Mohammed also appreciated Pakistan’s role as a top refugee-hosting country “Pakistan is consistently one of our top refugee-hosting countries taking care of those who are much in need, and only when one has lived as a refugee, does one realize that when one opens a door to a refugee, that this really is a heaven, and for that we Thank you”. “Pakistan is also reliably one of the largest contributors to the UN peacekeeping”. She expressed her concern on the situation in Afghanistan saying, Today, our hearts are heavy with the tragedy of the unfolding of the tragedy next door in Afghanistan”. “We count on Pakistan on all of you, and Pakistan can count on the United Nations.
On behalf of President General Assembly, Mr, Volkan Bozkir, Mr. Farrukh, CDA delivered his message at the event. In his message, PGA remarked that on this day “I hope your reflections include the great strides Your country has made, and continues to make, including the contribution to the United Nations. From the ambitious program to plant 10 billion trees and fight against climate change, to empowering women in peace and security to stand as a leader in disaster risk reduction, response, and recovery, Pakistan continues to play a proactive and constructive role in the world’s political and economic stage”.
Permanent Representative of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Bakhtiyor Ibragimov and Permanent Representative of Egypt, Mohamed Fathi Ahmed Edrees also felicitated at the event.
“I hope that the two countries will actively collaborate in advancing the connectivity between Central and South Asia as a cornerstone of economic development and progress,” said Uzbek Ambassador. “This occasion is a chance to not only celebrate and enjoy but also to remember the past and also to make a determination for the future,” said the Egyptian Ambassador and further expressed that “deeply rooted excellent relationships will always grow and enhance and they are always looking forward to cooperation fruitful cooperation with brothers and sisters in Pakistan”.
Among other speakers at the event were Mr. Irfan Soomro, President of the UN Pakistan club, and the notable members of the Pakistani UN officials.
Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations commemorated the event to celebrate Pakistan’s 74th Independence Day at the United Nations Head Quarter today in collaboration with UNSRC-Pakistan Club. Pakistan’s scenic photographs and UN peacekeepers were also displayed. Several information materials, books, and brochures were also distributed among the participants. Due to COVID mitigation measures, only UN ground pass holders attended the event. COVID mitigation measures were observed.
