Pakistani Flag-raising

Simon Danczuk, Member of Parliament for Rochdale; Jim Dobbin, Member of Parliament for Middleton & Heywood; Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE JP, Chairman, Action for Pakistan, International; Councillor Colin Lambert, Leader of the Rochdale Council; The Mayor of Rochdale Councillor James Gartside

Pakistani flag was raised outside the Rochdale Town Hall on Pakistan Day 23 March, 2013.

The Mayor of Rochdale Councillor James Gartside, Jim Dobbin, MP for Middleton & Heywood, Simon Danczuk, MP for Rochdale, Leader of the Council Colin Lambert, Councillors Sultan Ali, Surinder Biant and Cecile Biant, representatives of organisations, leaders and members of the Pakistani Community attended. 

Ghulam Rasul Shahzad OBE JP, the Chairman of the Action for Pakistan International, recited verses of the holy Qur’an, welcomed everyone to the event and gave a brief history of the Pakistan Resolution which was passed in Lahore on 23 March 1940, under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. After this historic resolution, and with the support and backing of the whole Muslim community in United India, Pakistan came into existence on 14 August, 1947.

He said the Pakistani community should be proud of their heritage but need to keep in mind that Rochdale is their and their children’s home town and they need to work with all sections of the community. "We are one community. Rochdale is a multi-faith and multi-cultural town and has always shown its unity and strength. There is great need to understand each other, integrate and contribute to the local life so that we have a safer, richer and brighter Rochdale," Mr Shahzad said.

The Pakistani flag was raised and the national anthems of the UK and Pakistan were played. Prayers were offered for those who laid down their lives for establishing their country “Pakistan.”

Later, a Pakistan Bazaar was held in the Castlemere Community Centre where organisations including Action for Pakistan International, Bury & Rochdale Magistrates Courts, Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service, Rochdale Environmental Action Group (REAG), Rochdale Law Centre, Multicultural Arts and Media Centre (MAMC) and businesses had their stalls.

Many members of the community attended despite of severe weather .