NEWYORK: Pakistan Day parade was organized in New York city on the occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day.
Inaugurating the parade, Parade committee president Munir Lodhi recited the Holy Quran while white doves were released in the air as a symbol of the message of peace in Manhattan NYC.
Grand Marshal Manzoor Hasan cut the ribbon and inaugurated the ceremony. The sponsor of the Pakistan Day Parade were the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee, RK Contracting, and various colorful floats.
Youngsters from different parts of the city took part in the parade waving the green crescent flag in a convoy of cars. On this occasion, New York Police Department contingents marched and the police band gave a traditional salute.
The parade reached its designated place and the ceremony took the form of an independence celebration program.
Renowned Naat Khawan Asghar Chishti recited Hamd and Naat. A large number of Pakistani American community participated in the ceremony, including men and women, youth, children, and the elders. The national anthems of America and Pakistan were played on this occasion.
The children participating in the Pakistan Day Parade presented a tableau on the national songs, which were well appreciated by the audience.
Earlier, Joint Secretary of Pakistan Day Parade Committee Ahmed Khan told Voice of South Asia that we are patriotic Pakistanis and a living nation.
Grand marshal of the parade and chairman of APPAC Dr. Ejaz Ahmed expressed gratitude to the committee and all the organizers. He said that this program is also the best way to bring people from different sectors of the community together in one place.
President of APPAC Junior Board Arsal Ejaz, who participated in the parade, said that it is necessary to increase the participation of youth in every department for strong and stable Pakistani community in the future.
Co-Chairman of Parade Committee Khawar Baig said that this year the parade has completed 40 years and participation of Pakistani community was increasing every year.
The participants of the parade was served traditional break fast of Halwa Puri.
The member of the board of trustees of the Pakistan Day parade committee and the member of the organizing committee, Tasawar Ahsan said that we want to enlighten our new generation with our land, its culture, traditions and values.
Renowned Pakistani singer Shiraz Opal specially participated in the event and sang famous poetry “Tu Kuja Man Kuja.
Board of the trustee of the committee Asad Chaudhry and APPAC New York chapter president Tariq Khan said that it is our duty to involve the youth in the local politics here and they want Pakistanis to fully support the Americans and youth should also join the APPAC.
The majority of Pakistanis participated in the Independence Day celebration dressed in green and white clothes. Folk singer Sara Altarf, who specially came from Pakistan, sang the famous Jeevay Pakistan song.
Association of Physicians of Pakistani Descent of North America APPNA also participated in the independence day parade and its special float was also included in the parade.
The organizers of the parade and others expressed their views and said that Pakistan Day parade is of historical importance, we are proud to be Pakistani.
New York city Mayor Eric Adams participated in the Pakistan Day parade as a special guest.
Addressing participants, Mayor Eric Adams said that he is not new to the Pakistani community, but a very old and sincere friend. He said that Pakistani community has always supported him and given him love.
New York Assemblyman Nader J Sayegh, who is one of the best friends of the Pakistani community among politicians, also participated in the Pakistan Day Parade.
Addressing the audience, he said that the Pakistani community has played a significant role in the construction and development of not only this city but also the United States.
Folk singers Maliko and Sara Altaf, who came specially for the celebration of Pakistan’s independence, sang their famous song, Nik Da Koka, on the request of the audience, and the participants enjoyed the performance.
New York city Public Advocate Jumaane Williams attended the event with his young daughter.
He said that he is not a public advocate at home and it is his responsibility to take care of the children on vacation. He said that he believe that everyone should be independent on equality basis. He also supported the ceasefire in Gaza.
Pakistani American deputy public advocate of New York city Kashif Hussain also expressed his views. He said that getting representation of Pakistani community in the city government is a welcoming and a source of pride for us.
Later, Pakistani-American officers of the New York Police Department, women social workers from the community, organizers of the parade committee, and other notable personalities were also honored with awards in recognition of their services.
