Pakistani expats in UAE plan celebrations for Republic Day

Also known as Pakistan Day or Resolution Day, celebrations mark the adoption of the country’s first constitution in 1940.

DUBAI// Expatriate Pakistanis will mark this year’s Republic Day in low-key fashion with family gatherings and celebrations at home.

The event, also known as Pakistan Day or Resolution Day, takes place on Sunday and marks the adoption of the country’s first constitution, known as the Lahore Resolution, in 1940.

This year the celebrations fall on a working day so most events will take place in the evening without the usual fanfare.

“I think it will be pretty low-key from our point of view because everyone is working so you can’t really have anything extravagant,” said Imran Hussein, 36, a Pakistani accountant.

“My wife and two children will go out for a meal and then come back and watch some of the coverage of celebrations back in Pakistan on the TV. We both have family in Karachi so we’ll call them and exchange well wishes.”

For many in the Pakistan community, the event is an opportunity to take stock of how their home country is progressing following last year’s elections and the voting in of Nawaz Sharif as prime minister.

It was the first time a democratically elected government had completed a full term before a general election took place.

“It does give me renewed hope for the future because elections took place without too many problems,” said Shazia Masoud, 28, who works in retail.

“I really hope that we can start building something positive for the future,” she said.

“The people of Pakistan have had a lot of issues to deal with in the past few years and just want the country to become stable.”

For businessman Salman Farhat, 43, who has lived in Dubai for 15 years, the elections marked Pakistan’s emergence from a decade of decline.

“I’m hopeful now that Nawaz Sharif is in charge he can start to do something to improve the economy,” he said.

“That’s where most of the problems start and can be solved.

“When people have jobs and their standard of living improves they see a positive future for their family and children.”

Mr Farhat will be celebrating Pakistan Day with a quiet family dinner. “I don’t think we’ll have anything extravagant,” he said.

“I have work the following day and my two daughters have school so they can’t stay up late.

“In Pakistan it’s a public holiday so my family there will be making the most of it and I’ll call my brother in Lahore.”

The Pakistan embassy in Abu Dhabi is hosting a reception in the capital on Sunday evening while the Pakistan Association Dubai (Pad) has organised a range of activities at its centre in Bur Dubai for Friday, March 28.

Among the highlights will be a Pad award for members of the community who have helped others, with Pakistani diplomats expected to attend.

Entertainment will be provided by schoolchildren performing national songs and there will also be a quiz as well as face painting for youngsters.

As part of celebrations, the Pad sports committee will screen Pakistan’s World T20 cricket match against India on Friday.