KARACHI: Karachi, the city of the founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, celebrated Independence Day with great enthusiasm.
Caretaker Chief Minister Fazlur Rehman, Sindh Assembly Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, other high government officials, diplomats and students of different schools visited the mausoleum of the father of nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah here on the 71st Independence Day of Pakistan.
The officials hoisted flags and offered Fateha at the tomb of Jinnah. The nominated Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also visited the mausoleum to pay homage to the father of the nation.
Earlier, a change of the guard ceremony was held at the mausoleum, during which cadets of the Pakistan Navy took charge of their duties. Commandant Pakistan Naval Academy Commodore Waqar Muhammad was the chief guest at the ceremony.
Several events were held across the city of Quid to mark Independence Day. Schools were also open, where the day was celebrated with great enthusiasm. The celebrations in Karachi started on Monday night with national songs, fireworks and a cake-cutting ceremony.
The nominated Governor Imran Ismail cut the Independence Day cake at Karachi Press Club, where a spectacular fireworks display was held at the Arts Council of Pakistan.
Youths from across the city traveled to the seaside to dance to national songs.
City of Pakistan founder celebrates Independence Day
City of Pakistan founder celebrates Independence Day
Pakistan condemns Israel’s recognition of Somaliland, calls it detrimental to peace in East Africa
- The foreign office reaffirms support for Somalia’s sovereignty, calling Israel’s move illegal and destabilizing for the region
- Islamabad rejects forced displacement of Palestinians amid reports of Israeli outreach to East African states over Gaza
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday condemned Israel’s decision to recognize Somaliland, a breakaway African region, calling it a violation of international law and reaffirming its support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, the foreign office said.
Israel this week announced it had recognized Somaliland — a self-declared region that broke away from Somalia in 1991 but has not previously been recognized by any United Nations member state — triggering condemnation from Somalia and criticism from regional bodies.
“Pakistan strongly condemns any attempts to undermine the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Somalia, and rejects, in this regard, the announcement made by Israel recognising the independence of the so-called Somaliland region of the Federal Republic of Somalia,” the foreign office said in a statement.
“Such illegal and provocative actions constitute a flagrant violation of international law and not only threaten the peace and stability of the brotherly country of Somalia, but also that of the entire region,” it continued. “The international community must step in to reject any such actions, and prevent and deter Israel from undermining the ongoing efforts for peace and stability in the broader region.”
The statement also linked the issue to the wider Middle East conflict, with Pakistan reiterating its opposition to any attempts at the forced displacement of Palestinians.
The foreign office’s reference to the issue came in the context of international media reports earlier this year in March, saying Israel and the United States had reached out to East African states, including Somaliland, to take in Palestinians from Gaza.
“Pakistan reiterates its unequivocal rejection of any steps aimed at the forced displacement of Palestinians from their land under any circumstances,” the statement said, reaffirming support for the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination and for an independent Palestinian state based on pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Somalia’s government has said Israel’s recognition of Somaliland violates its sovereignty, while the African Union has opposed unilateral recognition of breakaway regions on the continent.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday his country had recognized Somaliland “in the spirit of the Abraham Accords,” referring to US-brokered deals that helped establish ties between Israel and Arab states.
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