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City Hall hosts Pakistan Independence Day event
At 12.30pm on Wednesday August 14 there was a chant that rang out proudly outside City Hall: “Pakistan Zindabad!”
To mark Pakistan’s Independence Day, a special event was organised by Bristol City Council.
Bristol is home to at least 9,000 members of the Pakistani diaspora.
is needed now More than ever
The event was co-hosted by Abdul Malik, the Green councillor for Ashley Ward and Afzal Shah, former Labour councillor for Easton. The event celebrated the community’s contributions to the city.
@abdulstweets, councillor for Ashley Ward on the Independence Day celebration of Pakistan at the City Hall of @BristolCouncil pic.twitter.com/47VJWtcwnV
— Milan Gregory Perera (@stbonscc) August 14, 2024
The cross-party celebration was attended by the Labour councillors Don Alexander and Zoë Peat from Avonmouth & Lawrence Weston ward, while Malik was joined by his Green Party colleagues, Ani Stafford-Townsend, Sibusiso Tshabalala and deputy council leader, Patrick McAllister.
The event was also attended by the lord mayor Andrew Varney and several other community leaders.
Those leaders included Rana Basharat Ali Khan, the chairman of the International Human Rights Movement who took part in the recent anti-demonstrations against the far-right and Amaleehah Aslam-Forrester, a Bristol-based gender equality activist who has campaigned against forced marriages and so-called honour crimes.
Rana Basharat Ali Khan, the chairman of the International Human Rights Movement addressing the event – photo: Milan Perera
Addressing the event Ali Khan said: “With Pakistan’s flag in my hand and the pain of humanity in my heart, this flag is not just a symbol of my love for my nation; it is the heartbeat of every soul fighting against oppression, the echo of every voice crying out for justice.
“As I raise this flag today, I vow that as long as there is a single oppressed person without justice, my struggle will continue. The honor of my country and the service of humanity are the very essence of my life.”
The celebrations began outside City Hall with a prayer and a flag-raising ceremony.
Bristol Pakistani community marked Pakistan’s Independence Day with a flag-raising ceremony – photo: Milan Perera
Then attendees sang the Pakistan national anthem before entering City Hall for the special event which included several short addresses.
The event also marked the recent Olympic triumph of Arshad Nadeem, who won a gold medal for javelin at the Paris Olympics—the first time a Pakistani athlete has ever achieved such a feat.
A cake with a portrait of Nadeem was shared.
The event also marked the recent Olympic triumph of Arshad Nadeem – photo: Milan Perera
Representatives from the Pakistan Association Bristol drew attention to past struggles the community had faced in the city, particularly during the 1970s.
Unfortunately because of prior commitments I didn’t get to the flag raising in time – however, it was truly wonderful to see so many people come to City Halls to celebrate the independence of Pakistan.
We are a wonderfully diverse city and it’s truly heart warming to see each… pic.twitter.com/BLOkBILhDa
— Cllr Zoë Peat? (@CllrZoePeat) August 14, 2024
Meanwhile councillor Malik paid tribute to former Easton Ward councillor Afzal Hussain Shah, who hosted similar celebrations during his tenure as a councillor.
Alluding to recent racial unrest, Malik told the audience that Bristol was a city where “diversity and tolerance are our strengths”.
Green councillors, Ani Stafford-Townsend (left) and Patrick McAllister during the event – photo: Milan Perera
Speaking to Bristol24/7, Malik said: “I was elected this year in May, and I’ve been very proactive throughout these couple of months in engaging with all communities.
“And obviously, I’m from Pakistani heritage, really proud and honoured to host today’s Pakistan flag raising ceremony. August 14 marks the inception of the constitution of Pakistan, and so people come together to raise the flag here outside the city hall.
“And for me, it’s been a wonderful day today bringing women, children, elders and my colleagues together from all organisations that represent the Pakistani diaspora here in the UK and in Bristol.
“There’s so many languages that are spoken here, and there’s so many people that integrate and become part of Bristol’s fabric. And for me to be the only Pakistani councillor at the moment brings a huge sense of honour, but also responsibility to make sure that our heritage is celebrated and that we are united in combating some of the issues that we have, especially from the far right at the moment.
“And so this event highlights and showcases the excellence of our community and the way that we conduct ourselves.”
The flag-raising ceremony was followed by a special event inside City Hall – photo: Milan Perera
All photos: Milan Perera
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