Pakistan
High Commission Canberra
Pakistan
High Commission Canberra
Press Release to Sada-e-Watan Sydney
Subject: Pakistan’s National Day
To commemorate the National Day of Pakistan, a flag hoisting ceremony was held in the morning at the Chancery premises today. The ceremony was attended by a large number of Pakistanis with their families as well as Australians.
2. After the flag hoisting, the High Commissioner Mr. Babar W. Malik read out the messages of the President and the Prime Minister respectively and briefly highlighted the importance of the day emphasizing on the community members to forge unity and work harder for promoting Pakistan’s image abroad.
Investiture Ceremony
3. This year the National Day of Pakistan – 23 March –assumed a special significance as it was coupled with an investiture ceremony for an Australian, Dr. Agnes Grace Warren which followed the flag hoisting ceremony at the Pakistan High Commission. The High Commissioner decorated Dr. Grace with Pakistan’s high civil award “Sitara-i-Pakistan” on behalf of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for her outstanding services spanned over 30 years in the treatment of Leprosy patients in Pakistan. This award is a manifestation of the untiring human efforts of Dr. Grace in alleviating the suffering of thousands of people in Pakistan with most unflinching devotion.
4. Dr. Grace thanked the Government of Pakistan for recognition of her work for treatment of leprosy patients in Pakistan. Dr. Grace reiterated her pledge to continue working with even greater resolve to provide more and better care for the leprosy patients in Pakistan. While speaking at the occasion, she said today was a day of pride for her. She will cherish the award not only for recognition of her services but also in the satisfaction of her humanitarian achievement. A large cake with “Thank you Dr. Grace” was cut by her to mark the occasion.
5. The ceremony was attended by a large number of Pakistanis and Australians that included Dr. Grace’s family and friends. The ceremony was covered by the local print and electronic media.
6. This was the first ever investiture ceremony held in Canberra where a foreign national has been decorated with a high Pakistan civil award adding a new dimension in promoting goodwill and humanity between the peoples of the two countries.
