To celebrate Independence Day of Pakistan, Flag Hoisting Ceremony and community gathering were held at the Embassy today. It was attended by prominent members of the community and officials of the Embassy. The ceremony began with the recitation from the Holy Quran. The national flag was hoisted by Ambassador Sardar Azhar Tariq Khan. The messages of President Dr. Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan were read out by Head of Chancery. Special prayers were offered for the peace, progress and prosperity of the homeland. The Ambassador in his address highlighted the sacrifices made by our founding fathers in obtaining independence. He said in his remarks that the Independence Day reminds us of the objectives that led to creation of an independent Muslim state. Expressing sympathies with the valiant people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), he said that we as a nation feel saddened to see our Kashmiri brethren in IIOJ&K being subjected to the worst kind of oppression and ruthless state terrorism. The tyranny unleashed against innocent civilians has crossed all limits in total disregard to the international norms and the values of humanity and has endangered the peace of the region. The Ambassador commended the positive role played by overseas Pakistanis in Bishkek. He advised the community to conduct themselves in a way to bring a good name to their motherland.   Bishkek, 14^th August 2020