By Amjad Qaimkhani
HOUSTON: The 85th anniversary of Pakistan Day was celebrated with great national zeal and enthusiasm in Houston. A resolution declaring March 23 as “Pakistan Day” in the United States was successfully passed by the Texas Assembly. The main Pakistan Day ceremony was held at the Consulate General of Pakistan in Houston, where Consul General Aftab Chaudhry hoisted the national flag amidst the resonance of the national anthem.
The event was attended by Senator Rana Mehmood-ul-Hassan, who was on an official visit to the US from Pakistan, Houston-Karachi Sister City Association President Saeed Sheikh, Texas Assembly member Dr. Suleman Lalani, and other prominent members of the Pakistani-American community. Like other cities in the US, Houston also celebrated Pakistan Day with national enthusiasm.
The ceremony at the Pakistani Consulate began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the flag hoisting led by Consul General Aftab Chaudhry as the national anthem echoed in the hall. On this occasion, Pakistani-origin Texas Assembly member Dr. Suleman Lalani presented Consul General Aftab Chaudhry with the official resolution passed by the Texas Assembly, declaring March 23 as Pakistan Day in Texas.
During the event, Consul General Aftab Chaudhry read out a special message from President Asif Ali Zardari, while Deputy Consul General Ashar Shehzad delivered the message from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Speaking at the event, Senator Rana Mehmood-ul-Hassan acknowledged the challenges Pakistan is facing but expressed confidence that both political and military leadership are on the same page, ensuring that Pakistan will soon overcome these difficulties.
