The Government of Pakistan in Nigeria has celebrated the country’s 79th independence anniversary, commending members of the Pakistani diaspora in Nigeria for their contributions to national development.

The newly posted High Commissioner of Pakistan to Nigeria, Maj.-Gen. Kamran Savera, made the commendation at a ceremony held at the Pakistan High Commission in Abuja on Friday.

Mr Savera commenced the anniversary celebration with a flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by the rendition of the national anthem, marking the beginning of activities to commemorate the historic occasion.

The high commissioner thereafter read felicitation messages from the president, prime minister, chief of army staff and chief of defence forces of Pakistan to mark the anniversary.

According to the messages, the anniversary provided an opportunity to pay tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the country’s founding fathers and those whose sacrifices transformed the aspiration for freedom into a sovereign Pakistan.

Mr Savera extended warm felicitations to members of the Pakistani community in Nigeria and appreciated their constructive contributions to the development of both Pakistan and Nigeria.

He noted that the Pakistani diaspora had continued to contribute to national development through their various professional, business and social engagements in Nigeria.

The high commissioner added that the Pakistani community played an important role in strengthening relations between Pakistan and Nigeria through people-to-people exchanges and other forms of cooperation.

The ceremony was attended by officials and staff of the Pakistan High Commission, members of the Pakistani community and their families.

Representatives of the Nigerian media and civil society organisations were also present at the event.

(NAN)