PESHAWAR: (APP) Afghans residing in Pakistan Thursday celebrated 97th Independence of Afghanistan here at a local hotel with a pledge of making their country developed and prosperous.
Afghan Consulate organized a function in connection with Independence Day celebrations attended by both Afghans and Pakistanis. This was the first time Afghanistan Independence was celebrated in Peshawar.
“On the Independence Day of Afghanistan, falling on August 19, every Afghan should make a pledge of making his country prosperous and developed,” said Dr. Abdullah Waheed Poyan, Afghan Consul General in Peshawar.
In his welcome address, Afghan Consul General said the Independence Day recalls the sacrifices rendered by our elders for attainment of freedom for the motherland.
Afghans are living in every nook and corner of the world due to war with Russian and internal disability, but they always have a lot of love and affection for their motherland.
He said every Afghan has a potential and he should play his role in socio-economic development of his country.
Its time for taking the affairs of our country in our own hands and lodge sincere efforts for making Afghanistan a developed, prosperous and terrorism free country.
KP Senior Minister, Sikander Sherpao who was chief guest on the occasion said in his speech that Afghans and Pakistanis are very close to each other due to similarity in their way of living, culture, religion and language.
He said government policies cannot drive a wedge between Pakistanis and Afghans who have a very deep rooted and historic relation.
Sikander Sherpao said Pakistan has extended hospitality to Afghan brethren for around 40 years and now wanted to send them back to their homeland in a respectable manner.
The hospitality extended by us was our moral duty and we will continue to perform our duty unless Afghans are repatriated in an honored manner, he reiterated.
He said due to prevailing circumstances when Pakistan and Afghanistan have become worse victim of terrorism, it becomes imperative for Afghans to go back to their homeland and participate in its development.
Former Provincial Minister of Information and leader of Awami National Party (ANP), Mian Iftikhar Hussain criticized government decision regarding repatriation of Afghans.
Speaking on the occasion, Mian Iftikhar said it was a moral and internal obligation for Pakistan to extend hospitality to Afghans and it should be continued till return of normalcy in Afghanistan.
He said if Afghans are reluctant, they should not be forced to go back to their homeland.
Mian Iftikhar said Afghanistan is a tested friend of Pakistan and our government should take every decision with great caution so that our relations remain cordial and intact with our neighbouring country.
Earlier, national anthem of Afghanistan was played which was followed by national songs.