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A Flag hoisting Ceremony & Reception on Pakistan Day in Canberra

To commemorate the National Day of Pakistan, a flag hoisting ceremony was held at the Chancery premises at 0900 hours on 23 March 2009. The ceremony was attended by a large number of Pakistanis with their families and Pakistani students studying in various Universities in Canberra.

After the flag hoisting, the messages of the President and the Prime Minister were read out. The High Commissioner briefly highlighted the importance of the day emphasizing the community members to forge unity and work harder for promoting Pakistan's image abroad. He also spoke on the improving economic situation in the country.

A National Day Reception was also held in the evening which was attended by over 250 guests including the member of diplomatic Corp, Members of Parliament, members of Australia-Pakistan Parliamentary Group, Australian Chief of Defence Force and Services Chiefs, officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade including Chief of Protocol and other senior Government officials, notable businessmen, members of prominent think tanks and Pakistani-Australians.

The Chief of Protocol proposed the toast to the health and well being of the President and people of Pakistan which was reciprocated by the High Commissioner. The High Commissioner briefed the guests on ever-growing Pakistan-Australia bilateral relations in multifarious fields, strengthening of democracy in Pakistan, fight against terrorism, domestic and external challenges faced Pakistan. He thanked the Government of Australia for its association with the Friends of Democratic Pakistan Forum.

The Canberra Times also published a special supplement on Pakistan in its 23 March issue, carrying the message of the High Commissioner and articles projecting history, culture and business potential of Pakistan.

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