CHICAGO: The Pakistani American community held a colorful parade and mela on Devon Avenue Sunday August 17 celebrating the 67th Pak I-Day with usual fervor in Chicago.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, 50th ward Alderman Debra Silverstein, Senator Ira Silverstein and Pakistan Consul General Faisal Niaz Tirmizi were among the Grand Marshals for the parade accompanied by prominent Pakistani community leaders and Pakistan United Parade Committee members.
Bushra Khan welcomed the parade marshals to the stage and emceed the event. American and Pakistan national anthems were played and many Pakistani youth enthusiastically echoed the national anthem. Raja Razzak, chairman PUPC congratulated Pakistani community for 67th Independence Day and thanked the sponsors for the event.
The Pak Consul General Faisal Niaz Tirmizi also congratulated the community and urged the Pakistani Americans in Chicago to create stronger ties with other communities.
He called upon Pakistani American youth to join mainstream social and political life of US. Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and Alderman Debra Silverstein also congratulated Pakistani community. Many colorful and well decorated floats passed by and were cheered by the crowd from both sides of the street.
It was a daylong celebration for Pak community in Chicago as soon after the parade a food festival and Mela was organized at Warren Park around 2pm for fun and entertainment. Many families thronged Warren Park and enjoyed entertainment and participated in raffles. The Mela continued till 7pm. Raja Razzak and others were seen greeting community at Warren Park.
The Pak Independence Day celebration were co-ordinated by Hameed Ullah Khan, Ilyas Khokhar, Raja Yakub, Raja Tasleem, Dr Wasiullah Khan, Yasin Chohan, Jawaid Riaz, Abdul Wahid Butt, Akhter Ali and others.
A.Q. Siddiqui
