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    August 14 celebrations at the UN with the Sachal Orchestra

    Written by: Staff report with the assistance of Zeba Hyder
    Posted on: August 15, 2017 | | 中文

    Ambassador Dr Maleeha Lodhi speaking at the 14 August celebrations at the UNGA

    Dr Maleeha Lodhi as Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to the UN since 2014, has not missed any opportunity to project Pakistan’s case, whether on official or unofficial fora. Pakistani expat community and New Yorkers have been treated to a cultural feast at regular intervals. If last year Rahat Fateh Ali had rocked the hall of the UN General Assembly, this time she had arranged for the Sachal Orchestra from Lahore to entertain and celebrate Pakistan’s 70th birth anniversary.

    14th August Celebrations at UN General Assembly with Sachal Band - Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General

    Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary General

    The entrepreneur Izzat Majeed founded the Sachal Orchestra in 2008, and brought together masters of traditional musical instruments to play cool jazz. The band had performed at the Lincoln Centre in November 2013, but Dr Lodhi brought them back for the August 14 celebrations, and they sent the audience into a nostalgic trip with such classic numbers as Nur Jehan’s Sanu Nehar Walay Pul te Bula Kay  and Lal Meri, amongst others. 

    14th August Celebrations at UN General Assembly with Sachal Band - Maleeha Lodhi, with Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi and his wife

    Dr Maleeha Lodhi, with Chinese Ambassador Liu Jieyi and his wife

    The UN General Assembly Hall had come alive with archival videos of the Quaid in action, gaunt but moved by an iron will; Pakistani cricket and polo teams in action, fashion models walking the ramp, a celebration of Pakistan’s culture and sports in all its richly layered depth and complexity. Not to leave any stone unturned, all aisle seats were lit with the sign of “Pakistan at 70”! Pakistanis turned up in colourful clothes and were happy to satisfy the yearning for their homeland. At intervals someone would shout Pakistan and the Hall would resonate with the crowd responding with “Zindabad” (long may it live).

    14th August Celebrations at UN General Assembly with Sachal Band - Maleeha Lodhi and Amina Mohammed with Sachal Orchestra

    Dr Maleeha Lodhi and Deputy-Secretary General Amina Mohammed with Sachal Orchestra

    Dr Lodhi, with her fingers on the pulse of the nation, had set the tone for the evening by talking about the “robust democracy, an improved security environment” and the “upward trajectory of stable growth”. Explaining the richness of Pakistan’s culture, she said, “At the cross-roads of cultures and civilizations, the infusion of ideas, thought and intellect, have enriched the tapestry of our identity and national soul”. It was her mention of cultural renaissance and “the confidence of a new generation of Pakistanis”, which set her speech apart from the usual platitudes. Amina Mohammed, the Deputy Secretary-General, who hails from Nigeria, also spoke on the occasion and graced the celebrations.    

    14th August Celebrations at UN General Assembly with Sachal Band - The crowd at UNGA, New York

    The crowd at UNGA, New York

    As this nation of almost 200 million people struggles towards a better future, battling setback and vicissitudes, the indomitable spirit of its people was manifest not just in the UNGA in New York, but also on the streets, as people celebrated the country’s 70th birth anniversary with joy and a ferocious affirmation. Pakistan Zindabad!

    14th August Celebrations at UN General Assembly with Sachal Band - The author Zeba Hyder (second from left), Dr Zoovia Hameeduddin (second from right) and guests

    The author Zeba Hyder (second from left), Dr Zoovia Hameeduddin (second from right) and guests


    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021