OSLO, Thursday, August 14, 2025 (WNP): The Embassy of Pakistan in Norway celebrated the country’s 78th Independence Day and the historic Marka-e-Haq victory of May 2025 with national zeal in a colourful and well-attended ceremony at the Chancery premises on Thursday.

Over 500 members of the Pakistani community, along with Norwegian friends of Pakistan, joined the festivities. Distinguished guests included Knut Østby (Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam), decorated former Head of UNDP Pakistan; Khalid Mahmood (Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam), noted author and former politician; Abid Raja, Member of the Norwegian Parliament; and Justice Shehram Sarwar Chaudhary of the Lahore High Court.

The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran and a Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool (SAW), followed by Ambassador Saadia Altaf Qazi hoisting the national flag to the tune of the anthem. A striking 6×4-metre Pakistani flag, gifted by former Norwegian Parliament Deputy Speaker Akhtar Chaudhary (Sitara-i-Quaid-i-Azam), adorned the Chancery wall.

Messages from Pakistan’s President, Prime Minister, and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister were read out by Ambassador Qazi, Head of Chancery Dr. Rabail Mustafa Soomro, and Counsellor Muhammad Faraz.

A vibrant cultural programme featured speeches, poetry, national songs by amateur singers, a colourful fancy-dress parade showcasing Pakistan’s provincial folk costumes, and a tableau by children on the national song Mitti Ki Kasam. Poets and speakers paid homage to Pakistan’s Armed Forces for their valor in Marka-e-Haq against India earlier this year.

In her keynote address, Ambassador Qazi underscored the significance of Independence Day, lauding the sacrifices of Pakistan’s founding fathers and the Pakistani diaspora’s role in strengthening bilateral ties. She praised the Armed Forces’ operational excellence in Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos and paid tribute to the shuhada who embraced martyrdom during the May 2025 conflict.

The Ambassador also formally presented the accessories of the national award Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam to Knut Østby on behalf of the President of Pakistan.

The event concluded with the distribution of appreciation certificates to participants, special prayers for Pakistan’s peace, prosperity, and the liberation of IIOJK and Palestine, followed by a light lunch for all participants.