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The 21st Pakistani Day Parade
Sun Aug 28th 2005
 General Pervez
Musharraf ,president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. On the
occasion of Pakistan’s Independence Day in New York August 28th
2005,Sent the Following Message. It is my proud privilege to greet the
organizers and participants of the 21st Pakistan Independence Day Parade
in New York on the auspicious occasion of our Independence Day. I also
take this opportunity to extend my best wishes to all Pakistanis living
in the United States. We all know that the creation of Pakistan came
about as a result of a long and arduous struggle by the Muslims of South
Asia under the Dynamic and unmatched leadership of Quaid E Azam Muhammad
Ali Jinnah and the leaders of the Pakistani movement. The Guiding
principles for our people were unswerving faith in Allah, discipline in
our struggle and unity in the face of adversity, which culminated in the
creation of Pakistan.
Our beloved country has indeed came a long way since emerging as a
fledgling state on the map of the world on Aug 14th 1947.Allah Almighty
has blessed Pakistan with his bounties. We have an abundance of natural
resources .Our land is home to rivers, mountains, deserts and fertile
plains. The people of Pakistan are intelligent, dynamic and hard working
.We have also made tremendous achievements in the fields of agriculture
,industrial growth ,science and technology.
While today is undoubtedly an occasion of rejoicing ,it is also a day
for introspection. we need to take stock of how far have we as a nation
been successful. A major reason that we had yet to realize our
tremendous potential stemmed from a lack of strategic direction in the
past.
Alhamdolillah, the last six years have been watershed in the history of
our country. We have given the country direction, the results of which
are visible on ground for all to see .Pakistan’s economy has emerged
from a near state of insolvency in 1999 to one of the vibrant economies
in Asia. Reforms have been initiated in every major field of endeavors
and as a result of prudent policies Pakistan’s international stature has
risen significantly. Pakistan has been put on the path of sustainable
democracy. We have carried out empowerment of the people at the grass
roots level, women representation at all tiers of governance has been
ensured .Rights of the minorities have not only been protected, but
through electoral reforms, they have been brought into the mainstream of
national life. The main focus of the government now is to transfer the
benefits of economic gains to the people .The government is firmly
committed to providing better health and education facilities to every
citizen and the supply of safe drinking water and electricity to every
household in Pakistan by 2007.
On this auspicious occasion I appeal to every Pakistani man, woman and
child. You have a stake in the future of our beloved country. Come
forward and reject the forces of obscurantism and negativism. Have pride
in yourselves as Pakistanis. The Country Needs you to stand up and be
counted .Let us pledge anew that we will adhere to the guiding
principles of unity, Faith and Discipline and strive for making Pakistan
a truly modern, dynamic and progressive Islamic welfare state as
envisaged by the founders of the nation. To expatriate Pakistanis I
would like to say that you are all worthy ambassadors of our country.You
must be good citizens of the country you are living in and it is also
duty to project the true image of Pakistan as you are the symbol of our
values and culture. May Allah Almighty Be Our Protector and Guide.Ameen.
Mr Tariq Khokhar The General Secretary and the force behind the
Pakistani Day Parade committee for the past fourteen years & the whole
committee did a wonderful job of organizing the 21st Pakistani Day
Parade. Mayor Bloomberg made a wonderful speech in praising the
Pakistani Community for their great contribution, to the Business &
culture of New York city.Also the Pakistani Parade community endorsed
the Mayor for four more years,for the great work he to has done for the
Pakistani and Muslim Community’s. This Years Grand Marshals were Mr
Salman Iqbal President and CEO ARY digital Network, and also the
official sponsor of the 21st Pakistani Day Parade, the other Grand
Marshal was Lord Ahmed of Rotherham,a high ranking Government official
from England. Mayor Bloomberg, Councilman David Weprin, Grand Marshals,
Honorary Grand Marshals,and Colourful floats sponsored by commercial
organizations and community groups and many more dignitaries marched in
the Parade from 41st Madison Avenue to 23rd street and Madison avenue. A
beautiful stage was set up at 23rd street and Madison avenue,with
hundreds of vendors selling Pakistani food, clothes and other
merchandise. Over 50,000 Pakistanis gathered for this historical parade,
shouting singing waving the Green and white Pakistani Flags,it was a
great site to see.I never saw so many Pakistanis in my life,being a
Pakistani and lived in New york for the past 20 years. After the
introduction of the Chairman/convener/president of the parade and
introduction of the members of the organizing committee, there was a
address of prominent public officials who spoke and made special
presentations to the Pakistani Committee, Virginia C Fields, Manhattan
Borough president ,Dr Kendall Stewart,Council member of Brooklyn’s 45th
District,political officials from NJ, Mr Rueben Torres Hispanic
representative for Mr Doug Forrester, Republican Candidate for Governor
of New Jersey bought warm greetings. After the presentation , we was
treated to an Entertainment program which consisted of Folk Songs and
regional dances from Pakistan. This was a wonderful event which I
enjoyed attending,for more info feel free to email the Pakistani Day
Parade Committee at jebralter2@aol.com
Abbey H. Muneer is the Executive Director of H.A.D. Organization of New York City, Inc., a world-famous athlete, author and, above all, a humanitarian. Abbey will write articles about charity events, benefits, fundraisers and galas which are raising money for humantiarian causes. If you are interested in having Abbey and one his staff members cover one of your charity events, benefits, fundraisers or galas, feel free to notify us one week in advance, at LNEvents@hadofnyc.org, or telephone us at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. and ask to speak to Abbey or Maria. If you would like more information, or would like to have Liberty News Online Magazine consult your next charitable event, please feel free to visit our website, at http://www.hadofnyc.org/store/success.html, email us at humanitarians@hadofnyc.org, or telephone our hotline, at (718) 507-7616, between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm e.s.t. (U.S.A.) |
