The Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia on Sunday celebrated the National Day of Pakistan with flag hoisting ceremonies held simultaneously at the embassy of PakistanRiyadh and at the residence of the Consul General in Jeddah. Admiral (retd) Shahid Karimullah, Ambassador of Pakistan to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia unfurled the national flag, at a largely attended ceremony held in the embassy building in Riyadh. In both Riyadh and Jeddah, messages of the president and the prime minister, were read out. In Jeddah, Consul Genaral Zaigham Uddin Azam, with a presentation of the national anthem performed the national flag hoisting ceremony at his residence in Hayya Rowdha. Earlier, a student of the Pakistan International School Aziziya recited verses from the Holy Qur'an. A large number of Pakistanis, especially women and children, officials of the Consulate, Pakistan International School and Haj Directorate, attended the function. The ambassador in his address urged the Pakistani community living in the Kingdom to forge unity and work hard for the uplift and welfare of their fellow citizens and the country. He said that the embassy has taken all possible measures for the improvement in the system and he hoped that the expatriate Pakistanis would face no problems in consular and other services. The Ambassador said that the new prime minister, after peaceful elections in Pakistan, would be sworn in soon and the country would sail smoothly on the path of progress and prosperity. In his address to the gathering at his residence, the Consul General also urged the Pakistani community to stick to the principles of unity, faith and discipline enunciated by the father of the nation. They should work hard and contribute more for the development of both the Kingdom and Pakistan, he added. Later the Consul General visited Briman Jail to congratulate the Pakistani prisoners on Pakistan National Day and enquired about their welfare. He impressed upon them the need to obey the local laws and regulations. He assured them that he would take up their cases with the local authority. He also distributed small gifts among prisoners as a token of their association and love for the country on Pakistan National Day. The Consul General also interacted with the jail authorities and conveyed to them the sentiments and attachment of the government of Pakistan, its leadership and particularly the Pakistan citizens, to the blessed land of the Two Holy Mosques, Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Crown Prince Sultan and the Royal family. __
