A party for Pakistan’s heritage
Food, music part of city hall event
58 years since nation’s birth
TABASSUM SIDDIQUI
STAFF REPORTER
Forget about painting the town red: yesterday at Nathan Phillips Square it was all about green and white.
Hundreds of Pakistani flags, with their dark green blocks and white crescent, flew high throughout the square as thousands gathered to celebrate the 58th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence.
The annual event, organized by the Pakistani consulate and a group of local businessmen, began at 2 p.m. with a 90-minute parade of colourful floats that made its way along Queen St. W. and University Ave., before winding back to the square for a celebration that included traditional snacks and sweets, a flag-raising ceremony and popular Pakistani musicians.
“Most people come for the music, but the event is really all about celebrating our culture,” said organizer Ahsan Qureshi.
**The Pakistani community in Toronto has grown in recent years, with about 250,000 people of Pakistani descent currently calling the city home. **
Qureshi and his wife Shaheen recalled a time 30 years ago when a few dozen families would gather in Toronto to celebrate Pakistan Day, a far cry from the scene at city hall yesterday, where a packed crowd in traditional dress watched performers on the large stage, and lined up for grilled corn and stuffed naan at popular local restaurant Lahore Tikka House’s bustling stall.
John Tory, leader of the provincial Conservatives, endeared himself to the crowd by attempting part of his congratulatory remarks in Urdu, the national language of Pakistan.
He wrapped up his short speech by exclaiming, “Pakistan Zindabad!” (“Long live Pakistan”) much to the delight of the flag-waving masses.
Revellers arriving at the square were met by striking Hydro One workers carrying Pakistani flags and handing out flyers.
“An event like this, where there are a lot of newcomers to the country and young people, is an important way to get our message out to the public,” said Dave Ellis, a member of Local 160 of the Society of Energy Professionals.
Organizers said they expected about 10,000 people to attend the celebrations.
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