NEW YORK: New York City Mayor Eric Adam has joined hundreds of Pakistani Americans in New York City to celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day with an energetic parade marking the 78th anniversary of the nation’s establishment.
“Happy Independence Day,” the mayor greeted the cheering crowd of Pakistanis mostly attired in national dresses.
“I am a friend of this Pakistani community, and I will always be a friend of this community,” the city mayor said amid slogans of “Pakistan Zinda Bad” and “Quaid-e-Azam Zinda Bad”.
Waving the Pakistan and US flags and raising slogans, Pakistani Americans, standing along the route, warmly cheered the parade, with a band and unit of the New York Police Department (NYPD) in the lead. A group of Pakistanis-Americans serving the NYPD also marched with the parade.
Seven decorated floats, with some depicting Pakistan’s progress in different sectors, while others sponsored by local Pakistani businesses, also wound their way down Madison Avenue. Groups on the floats struck up patriotic songs.
Among those who addressed the event was Dr. Ijaz Ahmed, Chairman of the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC), who called for the Pakistani-American community’s active participation in the American political system, recommending that such engagement would have a greater impact on the nation’s socio-economic landscape.
Dr. Ahmed expressed hope that, through involvement, the community would eventually elect a representative to the US Congress who could serve the interest of Pakistani community.
Asad Chaudhry, also representing APPAC reinforced Dr. Ahmed’s call to the community, particularly the youth, to take part in local politics, register to vote, and integrate more fully into society to earn greater respect and influence.
