Thousands of Pakistanis, living in and around New York, braved the inclement weather to take part in a parade on Sunday to mark the 59th anniversary of Pakistan as an independent country.
Periodic rains - sometimes heavy - did not dampen the spirit of the men, women and children who participated in this annual event with enthusiasm, although some of the arrangements were disrupted. As wet conditions persisted, many people had to stay home.
Raising "Pakistan Zindabad" slogans and waving the national flag, they warmly cheered the parade as it moved down one of New York City's main avenues. The route from Madison Avenue's 41 street to 23 street was decorated with Pakistani and American flags.
Carrying umbrellas and improvised covers, the marchers - mostly clad in colourful national dresses - then gathered to hear parade leaders underline the significance of the day and Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's golden words to the new nation: Unity, Faith and Discipline.
Prominent among them were Punjab Provincial Minister Muhammad Ajmal Cheema, MNA Firdous Ashiq Awan, MPA Punjab Rana Mashoor Ali Khan, PPP Senator Akbar Khawaja and Pakistan's Consul General in New York, Muhammad Haroon Shaukat. The speakers urged their compatriots here that they were Pakistan's ambassadors in the United States and that they should do their best to improve the country's image.
Twenty decorated floats, with some depicting Pakistan's progress in various fields, while others sponsored by local Pakistani businesses, also wound their way down the avenue. Spaced out in the parade were bands, which struck up patriotic songs. Consul General Shaukat read out special message of President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.