By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: The Pakistan American Cultural Center (PACC), in collaboration with Lions International District 305-S, held a special Independence Day ceremony at the PACC premises, with community leaders, students, journalists and Lions members joining the celebrations
Lions District Governor Shakeel Ahmed Khan was the chief guest. Senior Vice Chairperson District Governor Lion Safia Hassan, PACC President Syed Makhdoom Ali Riaz and members of the governing board also attended.
The event featured a flag-hoisting ceremony and a musical performance that was warmly received by the audience. Senior journalist Muhammad Afsar Imran, Nusrat Ali, Zafar Iqbal and other prominent figures were also present.
Addressing the gathering, PACC President Syed Makhdoom Ali Riaz said the participation of Shakeel Ahmed Khan was an encouragement for newly inducted Lions Club members. He praised the organization’s welfare work, including the distribution of clothes and essential items among deserving people.
Riaz said PACC had been serving the community since 1959, focusing on education and culture. It offers language and computer courses, other educational programs and a range of cultural activities. He urged young people and students to contribute to Pakistan’s development and prosperity.
Shakeel Ahmed Khan said Independence Day was more than a date in history, describing it as a symbol of national identity, self-respect and freedom. He congratulated the people of Pakistan on the country’s 79th Independence Day and paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and those whose sacrifices made Pakistan possible.
Young people, he added, were the country’s greatest asset and needed quality education, proper guidance and a meaningful place in society. “These young people will take charge of the country in the future,” he said.
Khan urged participants to pledge under the national flag to work with honesty, sincerity and dedication to build the Pakistan envisioned by Iqbal and Quaid-i-Azam. He said Lions Clubs International, founded in 1917, now had more than 1.5 million members involved in humanitarian work worldwide.
Under its “We Serve” principle, the organization undertakes projects in education, healthcare, environmental protection, hunger relief, employment and other areas. Khan said Lions remained committed to the principles associated with Quaid-i-Azam — Unity, Faith and Discipline — while advancing its mission of community service. He concluded his address with slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad” and “Lions Club Paindabad”.
Safia Hassan thanked the guests, PACC management and Lions members for their participation. She particularly appreciated PACC President Syed Makhdoom Ali Riaz, Lions members and participants from the South Zone and Hyderabad, saying their collective enthusiasm and cooperation had made the ceremony a memorable Independence Day event.
