Lots of people went along to Nelson Town Hall for a celebration marking the 67th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence.
The event was jointly organised by Burnley and Pendle Friends League and Pendle Council, and it was hosted by the Mayor of Pendle, Coun. Graham Roach.
But other guests included Conservative regional MEP Dr Sajjad Karim; Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson; the Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle, Coun. Nawaz Ahmed and his wife Mrs Azmat Ahmed; and Sajjad Qazi, community welfare attached at the Pakistan High Commission office in Manchester.
Mr Saghir Ahmed, the chairman of the Friends League, said: “It was organised in connection with Pendle Council and the Mayor of Pendle presided the meeting in a very formal style. It was really packed – lots of people were there.
“The Mayor very kindly offered refreshments in his parlour. It was Pakistan’s 67th birthday as an independent country. We all enjoyed it. The MP, MEP and Deputy Mayor and Mayor all made speeches.”
There were around 100 people there in the town hall to mark the occasion, and Mr Ahmed said: “It was a very great meeting – we thank Pendle Council for letting us have facilities in the council chamber as well as the members room.”
And Coun. Abdul Aziz, a member of the Friends, added: “It was great to have the event. I really enjoyed it. I hope it will become an annual event here.”
MEP Dr Karim said: “UK/Pakistan relations go back centuries and Pakistan Independence Day commemoration is a celebration of that relationship also.
“As an MEP and former Pendle councillor I recognise the need to ensure close relations are maintained and built upon at all levels between UK and Pakistan.
“It’s very encouraging that Pendle leads the way on this through its MP and MEP, each chairing the Parliamentary Groups in Westminster and Europe.”
The Mayor said: “It was a great time to hold celebrations in the town hall for Pakistan Independence Day. I’m delighted. I chaired it.” And the Mayoress, Joanne Sagar, added: “We hope we get invited next year when we are not the Mayor and Mayoress!”