In Dallas, the Pakistan American Patriot Association (PAPA) organised a lively Independence Day festival to mark the country's independence with great enthusiasm.
A large number of Pakistani Americans from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and surrounding cities attended the event with their families.
The festival featured outstanding performances by renowned Pakistani singers Ali Haider, Shehzad Roy, Hadi Uppal, and Malaika Faisal, who captivated the audience with their songs.
Stalls of traditional Pakistani food, clothes, jewellery and various public services were set up by the organisers, which attracted significant attention from the attendees.
The festival also featured a special stall by the Dallas chapter of the American Pakistani Public Affairs Committee (APPAC), led by Imtiaz Rahi.
The festival was a sea of green, with women, children, and people of all ages waving Pakistani flags, dancing to patriotic songs, and expressing their deep love for their homeland.
Many attendees expressed that they keep Pakistan close to their hearts even while living in the US, and they pray for the country's prosperity, saying: "our hearts are Pakistani."
PAPA's President Inamullah Sherwani stated that they have been organising the Independence Day festival for several years.
He remarked that the hall was filled to capacity, a testament to the event's success. The audience not only enjoyed the musical performances but also indulged in shopping and savoured the taste of traditional Pakistani cuisine.
Sherwani extended his heartfelt gratitude to his entire team, the volunteers, and all the sponsors who made this grand event possible.
PAPA Vice President Dr Rabia Khan, dressed in green and waving the Pakistani flag, emphasised the importance of freedom, mentioning that its value can be truly understood by the people of Palestine and Ukraine.
She stated that even while living in the US, they cherish their homeland's independence and celebrate the day with great enthusiasm.
The event was enjoyed by all, and the hall was packed with people.
PAPA General Secretary Ifti Khan congratulated Pakistanis around the world on Independence Day and expressed his appreciation for the success of the event. He also lauded the entire team for their hard work.
Following his performance, Pakistani pop star Roy commented that the Dallas Independence Festival was an excellent event and that the Pakistani American community in the area is very loving and patriotic. Uppal shared that he felt proud to represent his homeland abroad and was happy to see that patriotism still thrives in the hearts of those living far from Pakistan.
Renowned singer Haider added that although they are far from Pakistan, they celebrate Independence Day here in the US with the same fervour.
Attendees expressed their gratitude to the entire PAPA team and expressed hope that they would continue to organise such high-quality shows and festivals in the future.
