Live Update Watch: Biggest-ever Pakistan Independence Day celebrations begin in Dubai
Celebrities and dignitaries join UAE leaders for special event at Expo City
DUBAI: Celebrations for Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day began this morning at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City, with thousands of visitors already streaming in for what turned out to be the largest gathering of the Pakistani community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The free public event ran from 11:00am to 11:00pm across South Halls 1, 2 and 3, and promises one of the largest community gatherings of its kind in the UAE.
Organised by Emirates Loves Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Association Dubai and supported by Dubai Police, the celebration combines music, cultural exhibitions, family-friendly activities and a special awards ceremony honouring the achievements of the Pakistani community in the Emirates.
The opening moments saw crowds lining up at registration desks as the venue came alive with Pakistani flags, traditional music, and the aroma of authentic street food wafting from the on-site food court.
Who is attending?
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, is leading the official delegation alongside Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE. They are joined by diplomats, economic representatives, and community leaders, underlining the depth of the UAE-Pakistan relationship.
The Pakistan Awards Ceremony, a central highlight of the programme, honoured prominent Pakistani expatriates for their contributions to the UAE’s social and economic development. The awards were presented by Sheikh Nahyan himself.
Celebrity appearances included actor Humayun Saeed, ICC Hall of Fame cricketer Sana Mir, and television personalities Hira and Mani.
On the musical front, performances by renowned singer Sahir Ali Bagga, Sufi-rock vocalist Natasha Baig, and poet-storyteller Yousuf Bashir Qureshi drew large crowds to the main stage.
Beyond the headline acts, the venue was a showcase of Pakistan’s cultural richness. Visitors enjoyed regional folk music, traditional dance, live art demonstrations, and exhibitions of Pakistani crafts. A curated marketplace featured small and medium-sized enterprises and homegrown brands, while an expansive food court served popular dishes such as biryani, kebabs, and jalebi.
Children were catered for with dedicated play zones, interactive learning activities, and cultural storytelling sessions. The event also included giveaways, lucky draws, and meet-and-greet sessions with celebrities.
Extended Dubai Metro timing
Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority extended Dubai Metro services until 2:00am on Monday, while a large fleet of taxis and shuttle buses connected Expo City parking areas to the venue, ensuring smooth transport for visitors.
Pakistan Independence Day celebrations
Pakistan marks its Independence Day annually on 14 August, commemorating the nation’s freedom from British colonial rule in 1947. The UAE’s celebration this year not only reflects the pride of the 1.8 million-strong Pakistani expatriate community, but also symbolises the enduring friendship between the two nations.
Diplomatic and economic ties remain strong, with the UAE standing as Pakistan’s third-largest trading partner after China and the United States, and its second-largest source of foreign remittances after Saudi Arabia. The Gulf nation has also invested over $10 billion in Pakistan across sectors including IT, real estate, oil and gas, telecommunications, and tourism.
Events like Jashn-e-Azaadi Pakistan 2025 serve to highlight these connections, while fostering a shared sense of belonging among diverse communities in the UAE.
With performances already underway and a packed programme ahead, the Dubai Exhibition Centre is set to remain a hub of music, colour, and cultural pride until the final curtain falls late tonight.
Watch: Natasha Baig stuns Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day crowd in Dubai
DUBAI: Natasha Baig, the acclaimed Pakistani singer-songwriter known for her powerful Sufi rock performances, was a highlight at the 78th Independence Day celebrations of Pakistan held at Expo City Dubai.
Hailing from Hunza Valley, Baig’s dynamic blend of traditional Sufi themes and contemporary rock enthralled the massive crowd gathered for this historic event.
Joining Baig on stage was Pakistan’s national superstar Sahir Ali Bagga, whose soulful renditions and musical direction have earned him widespread acclaim.
The event also featured celebrated storyteller Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, while Pakistan’s film and television star Humayoun Saeed graced the occasion, adding star power to the festivities.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/watch-coke-studio-star-wahab-bugti-thrill-pakistan-independence-day-crowd-in-dubai
Pakistan Independence Day in Dubai
More than 60,000 attendees registered for the day-long celebrations, marking it as the largest Pakistan Independence Day event held outside Pakistan. This represented a significant leap from last year’s 15,000-strong gathering at Dubai World Trade Centre, prompting organisers to move to the larger Expo City venue.
Pakistanis of all ages came dressed in national and traditional attire, celebrating their heritage with music, dance, and a rich variety of cultural performances.
The event was organised by “Emirates Loves Pakistan,” a platform dedicated to showcasing the achievements of the Pakistani community in the UAE, in collaboration with the Pakistan Association Dubai and supported by Dubai Police.
It was attended by dignitaries including Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, who acknowledged the deep bond between the two nations.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/watch-biggest-ever-pakistan-independence-day-celebrations-begin-at-expo-city-dubai
Grand celebrations
The celebrations unfolded at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai, where stages were set for live musical performances alongside numerous food stalls offering traditional Pakistani cuisine. The atmosphere was festive, with people from diverse backgrounds uniting in celebration, reflecting the longstanding friendship and cultural ties between Pakistan and the UAE.
The programme highlighted Pakistan’s cultural diversity, featuring artists representing all provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. From traditional folk music to contemporary hits, the event was a vibrant showcase of Pakistan’s artistic heritage and the contributions of its diaspora.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/top-envoy-hails-largest-pakistan-independence-day-celebrations-in-dubai
11 Aug, 2025
10 Aug, 2025
Watch: Sahir Ali Bagga ignites Pakistan Independence Day celebrations in Dubai
DUBAI: Pakistani music maestro Sahir Ali Bagga took centre stage at Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai on Sunday, delivering a stirring performance that electrified over 60,000 attendees at the largest Pakistan Independence Day celebration in the Emirate.
The renowned singer, composer, and music director’s live set was a highlight of a day-long cultural extravaganza marking Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day.
The event, featuring music, dance, traditional attire, and authentic cuisine, brought together Pakistanis of all ages – from infants to octogenarians – uniting them in patriotic fervour. Sahir Ali Bagga’s powerful voice and dynamic stage presence resonated deeply, reflecting the rich musical heritage and resilience of Pakistan.
Who is Sahir Ali Bagga?
Born in Lahore in 1980 into a musical family, Sahir Ali Bagga has earned acclaim through his compositions for Coke Studio Pakistan and Pakistani films like Zinda Bhaag and Azaadi.
His performance at the Dubai event included patriotic and cultural songs that united the crowd and celebrated Pakistan’s spirit with passion and depth.
Dubai’s biggest Pakistan Independence Day
Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, underscored the scale of the event: “Over 60,000 people have already registered to participate in this mega event.”
This figure dwarfed last year’s attendance of 15,000 and led organisers to shift to the expansive Expo City venue.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, praised the Pakistani community for their contribution to the UAE’s prosperity and called the relationship between the two countries “a blueprint for brotherly relations.”
The celebration also featured performances by Natasha Baig and storyteller Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, continuing the atmosphere of cultural pride and togetherness well into the evening.
Performers from all four provinces, along with Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, showcased Pakistan’s diverse culture through music, dance, cuisine, and attire.
UAE-based journalist awarded at Dubai’s largest Pakistan Independence Day event
DUBAI: A veteran journalist was honoured during Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day celebrations at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City Dubai on Sunday, in what organisers described as the largest gathering of its kind anywhere in the world.
Ashfaq Ahmed from Gulf News, a leading newspaper in the UAE, has served nearly three decades in mainstream journalism across the country.
The Jashn-e-Azadi 2025 award was presented by Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, in the presence of Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Ambassador of Pakistan to the UAE, alongside officials, diplomats, economic representatives, and social leaders from the Pakistani community.
Pakistan Independence Day in Dubai
The day-long festivities drew more than 60,000 registered attendees, according to organisers – more than quadruple last year’s Dubai World Trade Centre event, which saw 15,000 participants.
Crowds from infants to octogenarians arrived in national and traditional attire, while performers from across Pakistan’s provinces and regions entertained with patriotic songs, folk dances, and contemporary music.
Food stalls serving popular Pakistani dishes saw long queues throughout the day.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/watch-biggest-ever-pakistan-independence-day-celebrations-begin-at-expo-city-dubai
High-profile guests included actors Humayun Saeed, singer Sahir Ali Bagga, Sufi rock artist Natasha Baig, and storyteller Yousuf Bashir Qureshi. Sheikh Nahyan addressed the gathering, praising the Pakistani community’s contribution to the UAE’s growth and emphasising the deep cultural and economic ties between the two nations, which date back to 1971.
Several other achievers were also recognised, including educationists, entrepreneurs, sports icons, and innovators. The honours list featured figures such as former cricket captain Sana Mir, Afridi & Angell law firm founders Bashir Ahmed and Masood Haider Afridi, and community healthcare leaders Abdul Salam and Shahida Salam.
Pakistan in UAE
The event was organised by “Emirates Loves Pakistan” in collaboration with the Pakistan Association Dubai and with support from Dubai Police. It was part of a wider programme highlighting Pakistani culture through music, cuisine, and art, while also reinforcing the enduring diplomatic and social bonds between the UAE and Pakistan.
PMC expansion announced
President of the Pakistan Association Dubai, Dr Faisel Ikram, also used the occasion to announce the expansion of the Gulf Cooperation Council’s first and only not-for-profit healthcare facility, the Pakistan Medical Centre (PMC). The Dh45 million project aims to triple the healthcare services currently offered.
Since its launch in October 2020, Phase 1 of PMC has provided medical support to over 140,000 patients from more than 100 nationalities, serving as a model of tolerance and community giving.
The new phase will include advanced diagnostics and radiology, a dialysis unit, enhanced physiotherapy, and an expansion of specialised services. Once completed, PMC will become one of the largest community healthcare centres for overseas Pakistanis worldwide – the only community-led, not-for-profit facility of its kind.
Dr Ikram emphasised the success of the initial phase, which was funded through the community-driven “Own a Brick” campaign, and expressed confidence the expansion will be completed within two years, thanks to continued community and corporate support.
He also acknowledged the critical backing of the Government of Dubai, the Community Development Authority, and Dar Al Ber Society, highlighting that the land for the facility was gifted in 1973 by the late HH Sheikh Rashid Bin Saeed Al Maktoum. This gesture has profoundly impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of people across the UAE.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/top-envoy-hails-largest-pakistan-independence-day-celebrations-in-dubai
10 Aug, 2025
10 Aug, 2025
Happy Singh lights up Dubai stage for Jashn-e-Azadi 2025
Charn Jeet Singh, popular as Happy Singh, brought his trademark vibrance and infectious spirit to the stage during the Pakistan Independence Day celebrations at Expo City Dubai.
The event, organised as part of the grand Jashn-e-Azadi festivities, drew a large crowd of Pakistani expatriates and well-wishers from across the UAE.
The celebrations featured cultural performances, patriotic songs, and appearances by prominent Pakistani celebrities including Humayun Saeed, alongside Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi and other senior diplomats.
Visitors enjoyed interactive activities, food stalls, and prize giveaways, with highlights such as a trip to Baku on offer.
The atmosphere was charged with national pride as the community came together to mark Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day in a festive and inclusive spirit.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/watch-biggest-ever-pakistan-independence-day-celebrations-begin-at-expo-city-dubai
Watch: Coke Studio star Wahab Bugti thrill Pakistan Independence Day crowd in Dubai
DUBAI: Pakistani singer Wahab Bugti brought two of his most powerful numbers – the Sufi classic Mast Qalandar and the Coke Studio hit Kana Yaari – to Dubai Expo City during Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day celebrations on Sunday.
Dressed in traditional Balochi attire, the singer’s deep, resonant vocals captivated the vast audience of more than 60,000 registered attendees.
The crowd swayed and sang along to Mast Qalandar, while Kana Yaari, his breakout performance from Coke Studio Season 14, drew thunderous applause and cheers.
Pakistan Independence Day in Dubai
The celebrations, organised by Emirates Loves Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Association in Dubai and supported by Dubai Police, brought together more than 60,000 registered attendees for a day-long programme of music, cultural showcases, and food stalls serving traditional Pakistani dishes.
Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, addressed the crowd, praising the contributions of the Pakistani community to the UAE’s growth and highlighting the strong bilateral ties between the two nations.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/watch-biggest-ever-pakistan-independence-day-celebrations-begin-at-expo-city-dubai
Who is Wahab Bugti?
While the line-up featured stars like Sahir Ali Bagga, Natasha Baig, and Humayoun Saeed, Bugti’s performance offered a distinct cultural flavour to the evening. His stage presence and connection with the audience made his set one of the night’s most memorable moments.
Hailing from Sibi in Balochistan, Wahab Bugti rose to prominence through Coke Studio Pakistan, where his distinctive voice and traditional influences gained widespread recognition.
Most recently, he collaborated with Indian rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh and Italian artist Laïoung on the track Beeba for the upcoming album Glory.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/happy-singh-lights-up-dubai-stage-for-jashn-e-azadi-2025
10 Aug, 2025
10 Aug, 2025
Celebrate Pakistan Independence Day with a chance to win Baku trip
Dubai is hosting vibrant Pakistan Independence Day celebrations as Emirates Loves Pakistan brings a festive line-up to Expo City Dubai.
Visitors can look forward to cultural performances, celebrity appearances, and community activities marking the 78th anniversary of Pakistan’s independence.
As part of the festivities, attendees are invited to visit the event’s dedicated stall for a chance to win exciting prizes, including a trip to Baku.
The celebration aims to showcase Pakistani heritage while uniting the community in a lively atmosphere of pride and joy.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/watch-biggest-ever-pakistan-independence-day-celebrations-begin-at-expo-city-dubai
Top envoy hails largest Pakistan Independence Day celebrations in Dubai
DUBAI: Pakistan’s top envoy to the United Arab Emirates, Ambassador Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, has hailed this year’s Independence Day festivities in Dubai as the largest celebration of its kind globally, with over 60,000 people already registered to attend.
Speaking at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City, the Ambassador expressed deep gratitude to the UAE government for its support and participation in the landmark event.
Pakistan-UAE friendship
Tirmizi noted that the mega public gathering – organised by Emirates Loves Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) and supported by Dubai Police – reflects the enduring friendship between Pakistan and the UAE. “Artists, performers, and singers from across Pakistan, representing all provinces as well as Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, will showcase our cultural richness through music, dance, cuisine and traditional attire,” he said.
Record attendance
Recalling last year’s turnout of 15,000 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, the Ambassador said the shift to Expo City was necessary to meet the overwhelming response. The day-long event features performances by Sahir Ali Bagga, Natasha Baig and Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, alongside cultural exhibitions, folk performances and traditional food stalls.
Hussain Muhammad, Consul General of Pakistan in Dubai, thanked Emirates Loves Pakistan and PAD for their efforts, praising the contributions of the Pakistani community to the UAE’s growth. He urged attendees to respect local laws and traditions.
Dr. Faisal Ikram, President of PAD, paid tribute to the sacrifices of the subcontinent’s Muslims in their quest for an independent homeland, stressing the importance of unity and community spirit.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/watch-biggest-ever-pakistan-independence-day-celebrations-begin-at-expo-city-dubai
10 Aug, 2025
10 Aug, 2025
Dubai Metro to run until 2am for Pakistan Independence Day celebrations
DUBAI’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) will extend Dubai Metro timings tonight to cater to the massive turnout expected at the Pakistan Independence Day celebration.
The metro will run until 2am on Monday instead of its usual midnight closure.
The event, marking Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day, is taking place at the Dubai Exhibition Centre in Expo City, with organisers anticipating more than 60,000 attendees.
A large fleet of taxis will also be stationed around the venue to provide extra public transport options.
Pakistan Independence Day
Organised by Emirates Loves Pakistan in collaboration with the Pakistan Association Dubai and supported by Dubai Police, Jashn-e-Azaadi Pakistan 2025 will run from 11am to 11pm across South Halls 1, 2, and 3. Entry is free, with pre-registration encouraged.
The programme includes live performances by Sahir Ali Bagga, Natasha Baig and storyteller Yousuf Bashir Qureshi, alongside appearances from Humayun Saeed, Sana Mir, and celebrity couple Hira and Mani.
Guests will also enjoy folk music, children’s activities, art exhibitions, and a curated food court offering authentic Pakistani cuisine..
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/watch-biggest-ever-pakistan-independence-day-celebrations-begin-at-expo-city-dubai
Who’s attending?
Dignitaries include Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, and Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE.
The event will also feature a Pakistan Awards Ceremony to honour distinguished members of the Pakistani community.
How to get there?
The Dubai Metro connects directly to Expo City, making it the most convenient travel option. For motorists, shuttle buses will run between the Expo parking areas and the exhibition halls, ensuring smooth access to one of the UAE’s largest community celebrations of the year.
https://www.travelsdubai.com/10-Aug-2025/top-envoy-hails-largest-pakistan-independence-day-celebrations-in-dubai
10 Aug, 2025
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