Pakistanis set to celebrate National Day

Series of events mark 1940 resolution that led to state's creation.

A man plays an instrument as others perform a traditional dance during a festival ahead of Pakistan Day.

Pakistanis in the UAE are planning a variety of events to celebrate Pakistan Day today.

The Pakistan Association of Dubai (Pad) organised a series of sporting, social, musical and culinary activities in the days running up to the anniversary celebrations.

The day commemorates the date in 1940 on which the Muslim League passed the Lahore Resolution which called for the creation of independent Muslim states from British India.

The theme for this year's festivities is "Main bhi Pakistan hoon, tum bhi Pakistan ho" or "I am also Pakistan and you are also Pakistan".

Today and tomorrow, a Meena Bazaar and Children's gala will be held at the Pad centre in Bur Dubai. The entertainment will include clowns, magicians, rifle shooting and bouncy castles.

Visitors will also be able to take part in competitions to find the best face paintings, drawings, costumes and singers.

Pakistani schools in Dubai have also been invited to take part in a "best project" competition.

There will be dozens of stalls featuring traditional food, arts and crafts and a variety of products from Pakistan.

In Abu Dhabi, the Pakistan Embassy will take part in the traditional flag raising ceremony today from 8.30am.

"The ceremony will be followed by an open-house meeting of the community chaired by the Ambassador of Pakistan, Mr Jamil Ahmed Khan," said a statement from the embassy.

"The Embassy of Pakistan invites all members of the community to attend the function."