Embassy of Pakistan
France
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Press Release
Independence Day Celebrations
Paris: August 14, 2023
An impressive flag hoisting ceremony at the Embassy of Pakistan marked the 76th Independence Day celebrations in France. Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad raised the Pakistani flag to the tune of the national anthem in the presence of distinguished members of the community, Embassy officials, friends and families including a large number of children. The messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion.
Congratulating the compatriots on the Independence Day, the Ambassador noted that such occasions were not only joyous but momentous as they provided the link between the past, present and the future, and thus an opportunity for collective national reflection.
It was the visionary leadership and indefatigable efforts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that led to an independent homeland for Muslims, underlined the Ambassador while paying tribute to the Father of the Nation and other leaders of the freedom movement. He also paid homage to the immense sacrifice of our forefathers for the creation of Pakistan. That spirit of sacrifice continues to inspire the succeeding generations who have made the defence and security of Pakistan impregnable and one of the best in the world.
Appreciating the tremendous capabilities and hard work of Pakistani men and women, the Ambassador recalled how in the face of enormous challenges and lack of resources, the young nation had made great strides in all fields.
Also at the international stage, Pakistan held an important place among the comity of nations, playing its due role for the promotion of regional and global peace and development. Pakistan enjoys close cooperative relations with a wide circle of friends and partners around the world, including France.
Ambassador Ahmad emphasized that while celebrating independence, it was also our duty to reiterate our firm commitment and all out support to our Kashmiri brothers and sisters to realize their right to self-determination and freedom from illegal Indian occupation.
Going forward, the entire nation must work together – in unity, faith and discipline – for a stronger, prosperous and democratic Pakistan for our future generations to fully realize their aspirations. Pakistan was a gift of Allah for which we are thankful, and would safeguard this trust with utmost responsibility, stressed the Ambassador.
In this regard the Ambassador lauded the role and services of overseas Pakistanis and hoped that the dynamic Pakistani community in France will continue to contribute to strengthening Pak-France relations and bring more laurels to their motherland. He also praised the role of women and youth in national development.
The colourful Independence Day program included national songs, speeches and captivating tableau by children. The guests also enjoyed national songs and traditional Pakistani food.
The Ambassador also presented letters of appreciation to Pakistani poets and authors based in France in recognition of their recently published works in Urdu and Punjabi.
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On May 17th, 2023, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the principality of Monaco, presented credentials to H.S.H. Prince Albert II.
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Embassy of Pakistan
France
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Pakistan Day celebrated in Paris
March 23, 2023
This morning, the Embassy of Pakistan Paris organized a flag hoisting ceremony to commemorate the Pakistan Day. The event was attended by officials of the Embassy as well as members of the Pakistani community residing in France. Messages of the President and Prime Minister were read out.
In his remarks, Ambassador Asim Iftikhar Ahmad highlighted the significance of 23rd March 1940, when the Muslim community in the sub-continent passed the Pakistan Resolution, seeking a separate homeland where they could live according to their own culture, values, and faith.
He praised the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan’s founding father, who spearheaded the freedom movement – a political, constitutional and democratic struggle, that led to the emergence of Pakistan.
He emphasized the importance of unity and persistent hard work to achieve the desired objectives of progress and prosperity.
The ceremony was followed by cultural performances by children and national songs.
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Embassy of Pakistan
(France)
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PRESS RELEASE
Kashmir Solidarity Day observed in France
Paris; February 5, 2023
Pakistan Embassy Paris arranged an event to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day, which was attended by a large number of people belonging to the Pakistani and Kashmiri community.
Messages of the President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Pakistan were read out on the occasion and a documentary was screened, which highlighted atrocities in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Expressing solidarity with the people of IIOJK, speakers condemned the human rights violations being committed by the Indian occupation forces and called upon the United Nations and the international community to play their role in resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UNSC resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people.
Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Mr. Asim Iftikhar Ahmad paid tribute to the commitment and sacrifice of the Kashmiri people for their just cause of attaining self-determination. The entire Pakistani nation stands with their Kashmiri brethren and it is our firm belief that one day the people of Kashmir will succeed in securing freedom from the oppression and illegal occupation of the Indian military.
He appreciated the active role being played by the Pakistani and Kashmiri community living in France for supporting the cause of Kashmir.
An exhibition of photographs and illustrations highlighting the atrocities being committed by the Indian occupation forces in IIOJK was also on display at the Chancery.
Later, members of the Pakistani and Kashmiri community participated in a protest rally from Gare de l’Est till Place de la Republique in which demonstrators displayed banners and placards and delivered speeches highlighting the Kashmir dispute.
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Message from Dr Arif Alvi, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day i.e., 5th February 2023
Today, we observe Kashmir Solidarity Day to express Pakistan’s unflinching support for the legitimate and just struggle of the Kashmiri people for the realization of their inalienable right to self-determination. On this occasion, we pay rich tribute to the selfless sacrifices made by our Kashmiri brothers and sisters during their decades-old resistance to the Indian occupation.
We observe this day to draw the attention of the international community towards the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions which provide that the final disposition of the Jammu and Kashmir Dispute would be made in accordance with the will of the people, expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.
Over the last 75 years, the Indian occupation forces have unleashed a reign of terror and carried out a relentless campaign to intimidate and suppress the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The presence of more than 900,000 Indian armed personnel has turned the region into an open prison. India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in IIOJK were a blatant violation of international law, including the UN Charter, the 4th Geneva Convention, and the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. India has been consistently engaged in efforts to further entrench these illegal measures through artificial demographic changes, political engineering, economic marginalization of the local people and an assault on Kashmiri identity and culture.
It is alarming that India is undertaking demographic changes in IIOJK by bringing non-Kashmiris to settle in the valley. India’s heavy-handed approach frequently manifests itself in extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detentions, custodial torture, enforced disappearances and the use of pellet guns in IIOJK. India has muzzled the media and incarcerated the Kashmiri leadership and defenders of human rights. These excesses and brutalities have been well-documented by several human rights organizations and international media outlets.
Today, Pakistan calls upon India to allow unfettered access to the UN and OIC observers, international media and human rights organizations to IIOJK to obtain first-hand information about the situation there, and investigate and report the human rights violations. Pakistan also urges the international community and organizations to take practical steps to hold India accountable for its gross and widespread human rights violations in IIOJK.
Pakistan has consistently maintained that a lasting solution to the Jammu and Kashmir Dispute is possible only in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan will continue to extend its unstinted moral, diplomatic and political support for this just cause.
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