They also underscored the need for translating the Quaid-E-Azam’s motto of “Unity, Faith and Discipline’ into reality and work together in raising Pakistan’s stature. Men, women and children—mostly clad in national dresses—participated in this annual event in an unwavering show of enthusiasm and liveliness in the city.

They exchanged Independence Day greetings with each other. The New York City Mayor, Michael Bloomberg, joined the dynamic Pakistani-American community in marking the annual festivity that celebrates birth of the country on August 14, 1947 and pays tribute to the founding fathers for their epic struggle for goals of democracy and independence.

Raising “Pakistan Zindabad” slogans and waving the national flag, Pakistanis warmly cheered the parade as it moved down one of New York City’s main avenue. The route from Madison Avenue’s 41th street – the start point-  was decorated with Pakistani and American flags.

About a dozen decorated floats, with some depicting Pakistan’s progress in various fields, while others sponsored by local Pakistani businesses, also wound their way down the avenue. Bands on the floats and on the ground struck up patriotic song. In her speech, Farzana Raja congratulated the Pakistanis living here for organizing such a magnificent event.

“You are the true ambassadors of Pakistan and the nation is proud of you,” she told the cheering crowd. Ms. Raja also conveyed President Asif Ali Zardari’s message of greetings and his appreciation for the contribution the Pakistani community was making towards strengthening their homeland.

She said that she had come to New York for a series of meetings at the United Nations, including with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon during which she briefed them on the progress made by BISP in providing social safety net to millions of downtrodden Pakistanis. The minister said that the government was making earnest efforts to make Pakistan a progressive state in line with the vision of Ms. Bhutto and President Asif Ali Zardari.

PML-N’s Javed Hashmi, who said he was also representing Imran Khan’s Tehrik-i-Insaf party, made a stirring call for making Pakistan strong and prosperous through hardwork and commitment. The country was achieved through great sacrifices, he said adding, “We’ll not let it go down … It’s flag will keep on flying eternally”.

The high point of the parade was a cultural programme. Prominent artists from Pakistan such as Arif Lohar and Shaukat Ali as well as some local artists enthralled the crowd with their hit songs. The Pakistan Day Parade Committee organized the event in which many people were involved.