Editor Report
Islamabad: Parliamentary Leader of the PML-N in the Senate, Senator Irfan-ul-Haq Siddiqui, while addressing the gathering, extended heartfelt tributes to Pakistan’s armed forces, political leadership, and citizens for exhibiting exemplary resilience and unity in safeguarding the nation during the recent conflict with India.Siddiqui graced the 78th Independence Day and Marka-e-Haq celebrations of the Nazriya Pakistan Council (NPC) at Aiwan-e-Quaid, Fatima Jinnah Park in Islamabad, as the Chief Guest.Country Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Geir Thomas Tonstol graced the gathering as the Guest of Honour.Chairman of the NPC, Mian Muhammad Javed, Vice Chairman, Faisal Zahid Malik, Executive Secretary of the NPC Gauhar Zahid Malik received the guests upon arrival.Member National Assembly (MNA), Mrs Farrukh Khan, Chairman of the Implementation Tribunal for Newspaper Employees (ITNE) Shahid Mehmood Khokhar, former Senator Razina Alam Khan, eminent criminologist Humaira Masihuddin, Ambassador Salahuddin Chaudhry, Iram Mumtaz, Director Programs and Media Hameed Qaiser, alongwith other prominent social figures, lawyers, members of the NPC executive committee attended the Independence Day celebrations and expressed their deep love and affection for their country and its defenders.The Independence Day celebrations turned into one-of-a-kind Azadi Festival in which differently-abled students along with their ordinary peers gave superb performance in speech competition, song and tableau performance, painting and gymnastic and proved they were neither less-talented nor poorly-equipped. Muhammad Ansar, for instance, who had arrived on wheel chair affirmed in his speech that since he had made it to the event it showed he was a normal being and all those who thought he was handicapped in any way were in fact handicapped. Similarly, Fawad Alam a visually-impaired student of Class 5 from Gilgit Baltistan gave a captivating performance on Rabaab (a violin-like instrument) and won a standing ovation and Rs5,000 prize from Vice Chairman NPC, Malik.Senator Irfan Siddiqui also participated in the flag-hoisting ceremony that is a tradition since the times of the Founder Chairman of the NPC, Zahid Malik (late) who founded the council to promote Ideology of Pakistan back in 2010.Siddiqui also planted a sapling on the occasion and witnessed performances by the young enthusiastic special children who delighted everyone with their alertness. Irfan Siddiqui was all praise for the special children and assured their organizations all support to make sure they are leading a successful life in society.In his speech, Irfan Siddiqui drew the attention of the audience to the respect and recognition Pakistan achieved after victory over India in the 5-day military escalation (May 6-10, 2025). Our brave forces repulsed the attack with such planning and swiftness that the entire world acknowledged and recognized Pakistan an emerging military, political and economic power.Pakistan after May 10 is different from Pakistan before May 10 and the credit goes to our armed forces and the Chief of the Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, said he. In his comment on the current political situation, Siddiqui said Pakistan was not achieved through political agitation or sit-ins. Instead, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah led the political movement with ideological commitment and political dialogue.
