From cultural performances to patriotic songs, Pakistanis dressed in national and traditional attire gathered at Dubai Expo City on Sunday to celebrate the country’s 78th Independence Day.
The day-long festivities drew crowds ranging from infants just a few months old to elderly individuals in their 80s, filling the vast halls of Expo City. Young Pakistanis danced energetically to national, contemporary, and cultural tunes performed by a diverse lineup of singers from Pakistan. Meanwhile, dozens of food stalls attracted long queues, with families and children eagerly lining up to enjoy the delicious dishes served throughout the day.
More than 60,000 people had registered for the day-long celebrations, making it the biggest Pakistan Independence Day celebrations around the world.
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“Welcome to the biggest show in town. 60,000-plus and counting,” said Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Envoy to the UAE, during the celebrations.
He added that this was the biggest Pakistan Independence Day celebration in the world.
“Over 60,000 people have already registered to participate in this mega event. Artists, performers, and singers from Pakistan, representing all four provinces along with Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, will showcase Pakistan’s diverse cultural heritage through music, dance, cuisine, and traditional attire,” he added.
Last year’s event at Dubai World Trade Centre attracted 15,000 attendees, prompting the organisers to move to a much larger venue this year to accommodate the overwhelming public response.
‘Good reason to celebrate’
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, delivered the speech on the occasion of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day and congratulated residents from the South Asian country who have contributed to the UAE’s economic growth and prosperity.
“This is a celebration of strong national character, resilience, determination, achievement and hope for the future. Here in Dubai, this is also a celebration of deep friendship and brotherhood that exists between the UAE and Pakistan. Our strong relationship rests on a foundation of a shared belief, cultural heritage, love and respect for each other and a common vision for peace and prosperity. The UAE is proud to stand with Pakistan as a brother nation. Our bond is strengthened every day by contributions for the Pakistani community whose talent, hard work and creativity enrich the life of our country,” said Sheikh Nahyan.
“The relationship between Pakistan and UAE provides a blueprint for the kind of brotherly relationship necessary for social and economic prosperity in our world. I am pleased to strongly express my confidence in the bright future that lies ahead for both countries.”
He said: “In the UAE, differences are respected, dialogue is encouraged and shared values unite us. This harmony is one of our greatest achievements, and the Pakistani community is an important part of it. Your knowledge, optimism, friendliness, goodwill and concern for each person and community have benefited our country and strengthened our society. Today, here in Dubai, we have a good reason to celebrate your Independence Day.”
Performances
The day-long programme is set to continue until midnight on Sunday, featuring live performances by Pakistan’s national superstar Sahir Ali Bagga, acclaimed Sufi rock singer Natasha Baig, and celebrated storyteller Yousuf Bashir Qureshi. In addition, Pakistan’s superstar Humayoun Saeed also attended the celebrations.
The event was organised by “Emirates Loves Pakistan” — a platform dedicated to sharing inspiring content that highlights the success stories and contributions of the Pakistani community in the UAE, in collaboration with the Pakistan Association in Dubai, with support from Dubai Police. The objective of the programme was to facilitate the participation of the Pakistani community in the UAE in marking their national Independence Day.
Pakistanis are the second-largest expat community in the UAE, housing over 1.7 million South Asian nationals. Pakistan was also the first country to recognise the UAE after it was founded in 1971. Both countries have seen the cultural, economic and political ties strengthening over the decades.
Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, extended special thanks to Emirates Loves Pakistan and PAD for their dedicated efforts in organising the event. He praised the contributions of the Pakistani community to the UAE’s development and urged them to continue observing local laws, respecting the norms and policies of the host country.
UAE-Pakistan relations
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971 under the leadership of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE has maintained efforts to develop its relations with Pakistan across various sectors.
In January 2025, the UAE and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan issued a joint statement confirming their intent to enhance consultation and coordination, strengthening their strategic partnership in economic, commercial, and cultural domains, as well as joint projects.
In June 2025, a strategic partnership in governmental modernisation was initiated between the UAE and Pakistan, reflecting a mutual commitment to collaboration, the exchange of successful governmental practices, expertise, and the development of institutional capacities to support modernisation efforts.
The UAE is recognised as a significant investor in Pakistan. Over the past two decades, UAE investments—through public and private sectors — have exceeded $10 billion, focusing on telecommunications, services, tourism, information technology, oil and gas, housing, banking, and real estate.
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