Thousands of Pakistanis from the tri-state area-New York, New Jersey and Connecticut-joined a colourful parade on Sunday marking the 64th anniversary of Pakistan, pledging to do everything possible to help their flood-hit compatriots back home.
The appeal for funds to ease the sufferings of uprooted people in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country was made by ANP Senator Zahid Khan and backed by famed singer Rahim Shah, whose eloquence about the havoc caused by torrential rains evoked a huge response from the emotionally-charged crowd.
Strict security was in place and the parade went off peacefully under cloudy skies. Men, women and children-mostly clad in national dresses-participated in this annual event in an unwavering show of enthusiasm and liveliness. They exchanged Independence Day greetings with each other. Raising loud "Pakistan Zinda bad" slogans and waving the national flag, the people 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. The march took a long time to reach a point where the crowd gathered to hear speakers, including Pakistan's UN Ambassador Abdullah Hussain Haroon, underline the significance of the day and Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's golden words to the new nation: Unity, Faith and Discipline. Leading the parade were Senator Zahid Khan, Pakistan's Consul General in New York Babar Hashmi and the parade committee officials.
A message from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in which he praised the contribution of the Pakistani community, was read out. Seventeen floats, with some depicting Pakistan's progress in various fields, while others sponsored by local Pakistani businesses, also wound their way past the dais.
Spaced out in the parade were bands, which struck up patriotic songs. Men, women and children-mostly clad in Pakistani dresses-participated in this annual event in an unwavering show of enthusiasm and liveliness in the city. The high point of the parade was a cultural programme in which Rahim Shah gave a sterling performance, singing in all languages of Pakistan. He received thunderous ovation.