The ceremony began with recitation of the holy Quran, and as Pakistani Ambassador Asif Durrani hoisted the green-crescent-and-star, the national anthem was played.
Later, the messages of the president and the prime minister were read out. In his address during the ceremony, the ambassador paid tribute to the father of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the leaders of the Pakistan movement. He recalled the efforts and sacrifices of the founding fathers for achieving a separate homeland for the Muslims of South Asia.
Durrani called upon the Pakistani community to remain committed to serving the country to make it socially strong and prosperous.
“Pakistan is both our identity and destiny. In its 70 years, Pakistani nation has witnessed many challenges and measured up to each one with resilience and resolve”, he said.
Referring to the successful operation Zarb-e-Azab, he said it was a clear manifestation of Pakistan’s resolve to uproot terrorism and extremism from the country. “The ongoing operation Radd-ul-Fasaad will eliminate the remnants of such extremists from our society,” he added.
Commenting on bilateral relations between Pakistan and Iran, ambassador said he was satisfied with the existing level of relations and expressed the hope that under the present leadership of the two countries, relations between the two great nations would grow further.
Students from Pakistan International School and College, Tehran also paid homage to the father of the nation and the leaders of the freedom movement. Pakistani students in Iranian educational institutions also participated in strength. A group of children presented national songs on the occasion.
LR/PR