RIYADH/JEDDAH — Pakistan celebrated its 74th Independence Day in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with zeal and fervor. A simple and graceful flag-hoisting ceremony was held in the morning at the Pakistan Consulate General Jeddah and Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh on Friday. A cross section of the Pakistani community living in Jeddah, Riyadh and their adjoining cities, attended the event. Syed Hamzah Saleem Gilani, Press Consul Jeddah said in a statement that Pakistan Ambassador Raja Ali Ejaz and Consul General Khalid Majid welcomed the guests and in their remarks highlighted the significance of the day. They underlined Pakistan’s regional and global importance by virtue of its history, geo-strategic location, rich human and natural resources. They underscored that the government of Pakistan is aware of the current challenges to the country and has adopted a comprehensive set of economic and structural reforms to lay the foundation of sustainable socio-economic development. The Ambassador and the Consul General highlighted Pakistan’s strong relations with the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and praised the contribution of Pakistani community in further strengthening Saudi-Pak relations. In observance of local restrictions relating to social distancing due to COVID-19 situation, the level of participation was kept minimal. On this occasion a special national song authored by Press Consul Syed Hamzah Saleem Gilani was also screened.