Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) proudly held its Pakistan Independence Day Celebrations with the community on August 13th, marking an event of festivity and patriotic spirit. In line with the vision of The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and the UAE Year of Sustainability, the event themed ‘Green Pakistan’, aimed to raise awareness about climate change and sustainability while commemorating Pakistan Independence Day. The celebrations showcased a range of engaging activities, bringing together people of all ages to participate in a collective effort towards a greener future.

Culture, food, and performances
The evening kickstarted with a rally to the PAD complex by the UAE Bikers Community, followed by the Dubai Police band performance which enthralled the audience. Among special chief guests were Ambassador of Pakistan, H.E. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, and Consul - Consular Affairs from Consulate, Ms Mariam Bugti. The Pakistan Auditorium came alive with patriotic melodies, anthems, documentaries, and performances, celebrating Pakistan's history and identity.

Young schoolchildren captivated the audience and creatively depicted Pakistan's traditional essence through unique cultural performances. Outside the auditorium, attendees were treated to cultural stalls with a vibrant array of traditional crafts, clothing, henna, and artifacts, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Pakistan. The mini food street was a crowd-favourite with authentic Pakistani cuisine and live cooking to bring back our nation's diverse flavours.

President PAD, Dr Faisel Ikram, remarked on the occasion, “We are grateful to the UAE authorities for giving us the opportunity to create our mini-Pakistan in the Emirates. It is an honour to host these celebrations each year with our community.”

The event celebrated the talents of the community through impressive sports and sustainable art exhibitions. We also awarded the winners of our sustainable art competitions which promoted artists using eco-friendly material to create their artworks. Lucky draws, games, exciting rewards, and a cake-cutting ceremony were all in store for our community. Brick Café and Hunarkadah also rolled out special Azaadi offers for event-goers.
Ambassador of Pakistan, H.E. Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, also addressed the audience and said, “I am elated to see the community gather from different Emirates at this wonderful platform. The atmosphere here, from the culture to the people, brings back fond memories from our homeland.”