Pakistan Cultural Day celebrated in Maine Township to commemorate Pakistan's independence

In Maine Township, the Pakistani American community celebrated its annual Independence Day Cultural Festival for the second time with enthusiasm and feelings. It drew people from different walks of life joined together. The celebration's organizers were Asif Malik and Care and Cure.

The Pakistan Cultural Festival event was conducted on Tuesday, Aug. 15, in Maine Township. Farat Khan served as the event's emcee. The ceremony to raise the national flag is the major event of the Pakistan Independence Day festivities. All of America's big cities host similar flag raising ceremonies and independence-themed activities, but the Maine Township commemoration took place in Dee Park.

At six o'clock in the evening, various elected officials and local leaders joined to rejoice during a magnificent flag-hoisting ceremony. Tariq Karim, general consul of Pakistan, attended as the main guest. America's and Pakistan's national anthems signaled the start of the proceedings.

The Des Plaines mayor Andrew Goczkowski. Members of Maine Township include Peter Gialamas, Susan Moylan Krey, Kimberly Jones, Kelly Horvath, James Maher, Asif Malik, and Supervisor Karen J. Dimond. A number of state elected officials, including newly elected Pakistani American school board member Samreen Khan, Senators Laura Murphy and Ram Villivalam, participated in the ceremony.

The keynote speaker was Consul General of Pakistan Tariq Karim, Trustee, and organizer of the event, Asif Malik's address was one of the event's high points. The audience enjoyed his speech very much in urdu. In Pakistan, Urdu is the official national language. Several elected officials spoke during the occasion including Senators Laura Murphy and Ram Villivalam.

When all seats were occupied, the event's highly anticipated performance by the legendary Coke Studio Fizza Javed took place. There were about 4000 attendees. Although warm, the weather was remarkably cooperative. Aided by the mellow folk and patriotic music of Pakistan that both foreign and native performers sung. Live performances of Aziz Warsi, Malika Faisal and Fizza Javed, as well as a few young people who joined in with Pakistani flag and ethnic dance motions, sent the crowd into a frenzy and helped the day's festivities come to a joyful conclusion. Muhammad Ali, The 300 green and white balloons were sent into the air by a well-known businessman from Pakistan.

Youth of Chicagoland continues the event with delightful music, dances, and exciting performances.