Thousands Celebrate 79 Years of Pakistan Independence

Thousands of people gathered in Reading to celebrate the 79th anniversary of Pakistan becoming an independent country at an event at the Pakistan Community Centre on Sunday, August 16.

The day featured performances from Mazhar Rahi, Shafaq Ali, Umme Layla and Nisa B, speeches from politicians and dignitaries, and stalls selling food, clothes and jewellery. There were also bouncy castles, face painting, a picnic area and games for children.

Throughout the day, from 1pm to 8pm, approximately 5,000 people attended.

Mian Saleem Senior, chairman of the centre, said: "We have been organising this for the last 40 years, and it brings all of the community together and is a celebration of the Pakistani culture."

Councillor Amjad Tarar (Labour, Battle), the deputy mayor of Reading Borough Council, said: "People enjoyed food, music and socialising, it was great."

He also said: "It was said that this is your town and your country, and we should be proud to be British Pakistani."

The event was attended by local MPs including Matt Rodda and Yuan Yang, former MP Martin Salter, and visitors from the Pakistan High Commission including minister coordinator Muhammed Ali, Ali Nawaz Malik and Mohsin Bari.

Community service shield awards went to Martin Salter, former council leader Jo Lovelock, former mayors Gul Nawaz Khan and Riaz Chaudhri, ex centre chairmen Ejaz Elahi, Mohammed Arif Kiyani and Manzoor Hussain, and Mushtaq Lasharie (CBE).

Kamran Khalid received a Sports Excellence Award for encouraging young people into boxing. Praising his work, cllr Tarar said: "He's doing something very good in the community, he brings people together for training."

He added: "He's done a great job supporting and assisting them."

In closing, Mr Saleem Snr said: "I would like to proudly highlight that we also host and celebrate a number of other activities throughout the year, including an annual Christmas Lunch which brings together the interfaith community and dignitaries of the town from Churches, synagogues, temples and representatives from the police, fire service, the NHS, and representatives from the council across Reading and Wokingham boroughs."

He finished: "Lastly, I'd like to say a big thank you to all of our sponsors and supporters from the day, especially Ehsan Ghural."

James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter