At least 60,000 people are expected to gather in Dubai today, Sunday, for a large-scale public event celebrating Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, according to the UAE’s official news agency, WAM.
The event, titled ‘Emirates Loves Pakistan’, will take place at the Dubai Exhibition Center in Expo City. It will be attended by UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, and Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE.
Diplomats, business leaders, and prominent members of the Pakistani community are also set to participate. The celebration is organized by the ‘Emirates Loves Pakistan’ platform, which showcases the achievements and contributions of Pakistanis in the UAE. The event is held in collaboration with the Pakistan Association in Dubai and supported by Dubai Police.
According to WAM, the event will feature cultural displays, traditional music, artistic exhibitions, and performances that highlight Pakistan’s rich heritage and folklore. A special ceremony will recognize outstanding members of the Pakistani community for their contributions to the UAE’s development.
Live performances by renowned Pakistani artists, including singer Sahir Ali Bagga, Sufi rock star Natasha Baig, and acclaimed storyteller Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, will also be part of the festivities.
The program aims to celebrate not only Pakistan’s cultural traditions but also the strong diplomatic and historical ties between the UAE and Pakistan. It will underscore the role of the Pakistani diaspora in advancing the UAE’s growth and sustainability goals.
Pakistan observes Independence Day every year on August 14, commemorating its 1947 independence from British rule in India. Celebrations take place globally through embassy-led events and nationwide festivities.
The UAE stands as Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner, following China and the US, and is a crucial economic ally due to its proximity and logistical advantages. Additionally, with more than 1.8 million Pakistanis living and working in the UAE, it is Pakistan’s second-largest source of foreign remittances after Saudi Arabia.