JEDDAH: The 79th Independence Day of Pakistan was celebrated with great enthusiasm and patriotic spirit at a special event organized by the Overseas Pakistani Volunteers Group (OPVG) Jeddah. A large number of members of the Pakistani community, families and children attended the ceremony.
The event featured national songs, speeches, cultural performances and tableaux by children, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere. The young performers received enthusiastic appreciation from the audience for their talent and well-prepared presentations.
The ceremony was presided over by OPVG Jeddah President Gul Shehzad Jadoon, while Ali Ahmed performed the duties of host. The chief guests were Chairman Pakistan Investors Forum Chaudhry Shafqat Mahmood and Academic Principal of Pakistan International School Sadiqa Maqsood Malik.
Addressing the gathering, Gul Shehzad Jadoon welcomed the guests and participants and extended his heartfelt Independence Day greetings. He highlighted OPVG’s community welfare and volunteer services, saying that the event was organized on the directives of OPVG Chairman and Founder Abrar Ahmed. He emphasized that serving the overseas Pakistani community and contributing to welfare activities remain among the organization’s top priorities.
The chief guests, Chaudhry Shafqat Mahmood and Sadiqa Maqsood Malik, appreciated OPVG’s voluntary community services, dedication and welfare initiatives. They congratulated the organizers and participants on Independence Day and assured their full possible cooperation in the forum’s welfare activities.
Chairman Pakistan Muslim League-N Chaudhry Akram Gujjar, Chairman Pak Media Journalists Forum Chaudhry Noor-ul-Hassan Gujjar, Chairman Kababish Art Council Ali Khursheed Malik, Chaudhry Muhammad Tariq and other speakers also addressed the gathering.
The speakers extended Independence Day greetings and praised OPVG’s management for organizing a meaningful and colorful event. They also acknowledged the forum’s continued efforts for the welfare and service of the Pakistani community in Jeddah.
Children presented national songs, speeches and colourful tableaux, earning widespread applause from the audience. The participants particularly appreciated the well-organized and impressive performances by the girls. Senior OPVG member and renowned social activist Safia Zohaib Ali was specially commended for her role in preparing the children and helping them deliver their outstanding performances.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, special shields were presented to prominent community figures and individuals who had made notable contributions to the event. The shields were distributed by organizers Gul Shehzad Jadoon, Ali Ahmed, Naeem Akhtar, Kashif Razzaq, Rashid Mahmood, Suleman Butt and others.
The ceremony concluded with the cutting of an Independence Day cake, followed by prayers for Pakistan’s security, prosperity, progress and well-being.