Flag hoisting ceremony held at Pakistan Embassy in China

Beijing: An impressive flag hoisting ceremony to mark Pakistan Day with national zeal and fervour was held at Pakistan Embassy, here on Saturday.

The ceremony began with the recitation from the Holy Quran. As Pakistan Ambassador to China, Masood Khalid hoisted the green and white flag, the national anthem was played.

Ambassador Khalid read out the messages of President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan on the occasion.

While congratulating the countrymen on this auspicious occasion, he briefed the gathering regarding latest escalations between India and Pakistan particularly India’s airspace violations and Pakistan armed forces' befitting response.

He said the entire nation was united and along with armed forces fully prepared to thwart any misadventure in future as well.

Ambassador Khalid informed that the world community had acknowledged Pakistan’s patience, peace initiative and dialogue offer to India for peace and stability in South Asia.

The present government was focusing its attention for the well-being of its people and the development of the region and for this purpose, peace was essential.

About Kashmir issue, he said the issue was lingering for the last 70 years and people of Kashmir were propelling an indigenous movement for their right to self-determination under the resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council

He pointed out that the people of held valley had intensified their movement owing to Indian repression for the last five years.

He called upon Indian leadership to resolve this longstanding issue through peaceful means and give the Kashmir their right to self-determination.

Pakistan, he said, had a consistent policy to provide political, diplomatic and moral support to their Kashmiri brethren and vowed to raise Kashmir question at all the international for including UN, Organization of Islamic Conference(OIC) through active diplomacy.

The Kashmiri diaspora all over the world was also putting pressure on India to settle this issue, he added.

Pakistan, he said, was also making efforts and facilitating talks between the Taliban and the US for the peace and security in Afghanistan.

The students of Pakistan EmbassyCollege Beijing attired in colorful Pakistani dresses presented national songs with enthusiasm and national spirit. The Ambassador also distributed sweets among the children.

All officers and staff of the mission along with their families, students and a large number of Pakistanis living in the Chinese capital attended the ceremony.