Lahore: US Consul General to Lahore Stetson Sanders has said that the Americans and Pakistanis are working together to build a stronger nation in both of our countries and for greater shared prosperity.
‘May the spirit of friendship and partnership between the United States and Pakistan continue to grow for generations to come’, Sanders said, in his note of thanks, at the Freedom 250 celebrations to mark adoption of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America on July 4, 1776 during a ceremony at the Lahore Fort on Sunday night.
A spell-binding light-show on the Alamgiri Gate and Picture Wall of the historic Lahore Fort, cultural performances and a cake-cutting ceremony marked the freedom celebrations.
Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb was the chief guest at the ceremony where other dignitaries including Head of the Lahore office of the British High Commission Lahore Ben Wrrington, Turkiye Counsel General Lahore Durmus Bastug, honorary Consul General of Tunisia Mohammad Hameed, Director General Walled City of Lahore (WCLA) Najamussaqib Sheikh, Rector FCCU Dr. Jonnathan S. Addelton, business community representatives, youth leaders, journalists and renowned figures attended the 250 years of independence.
Sanders said ‘it is a true privilege to stand here this evening at the Lahore Fort with all of you, the great treasures of the world. Tonight is a celebration of independence and a celebration of partnership. Two hundred and fifty years ago, America’s founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to a proposition that was, at the time, novel and quite radical.’
He said the Declaration of Independence was, at its core, an act of faith, faith that free people could govern themselves while building a new nation and exercising their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. ‘What better place to celebrate the legacy of a centuries-old document like that and the ideals enshrined in the Constitution of the United States than here in this site? It felt something that’s been admired by people around the world for centuries’, he added.
Peeping into the annals of history and connecting the past and the present, Sanders said the world looked a lot different in 1556 when emperor Akbar first worked on the fort, and it changed over the centuries when emperors Jahangir, Shah Jahan, and Aurangzeb continued to enhance the fort’s beauty and magnificence.
He said this remarkable place reminds us that civilizations endure because they draw from the past as they build their futures, adding that, tonight, we gather beside the magnificent Picture Wall, one of the largest and most extraordinary mural facades anywhere in the world.
On the historicity of the Picture Wall, he said its vibrant mosaic panels have witnessed centuries of history, artistry, and human achievement. And tonight, we are so delighted to be here with all of you and have these walls come to be the colors to the American flag. We are so proud that with support from the American people, the Lahore Fort continues to stand strong.
The US diplomat further said ‘as we commemorate America’s two hundred and fiftieth birthday, we celebrate two and a half centuries of freedom, constitutional government, entrepreneurship, innovation, and the enduring belief that every generation has the responsibility and the opportunity to move the nation forward to be stronger than when they inherited it.’
He said the United States believes in strong nations that with strong partnerships. Our relationship with Pakistan is strongest when it creates opportunities for both our countries.
Quoting Charg© d’Affaires Natalie Baker, on June 4 during a similar ceremony with Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif in attendance, he said ‘the United States has embraced Pakistan as a true partner, a strategic partner, not merely a transactional one, but a partner grounded in mutual respect, aligned interests, and a shared vision for security and prosperity.’
And that partnership translates from Washington to Islamabad to hard work here in Lahore and across the magnificent province of, of Punjab. I arrived in Lahore about a year ago, and it’s been my truly great pleasure to meet such wonderful people and to find such hospitable friends, competent partners, and bold leaders.
Reiterating American government’s commitment to prosperity, he said ‘From the chief minister’s ambitious vision for the future of Punjab to the American companies that are investing here and the United States universities that are building ties across academic institutions in Punjab, Americans and Pakistanis are working together to build a stronger nation in both of our countries and greater shared prosperity.’
Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb and Stetson Sandres cut a cake to mark 250th Independence Day while CG Sanders also presented a souvenir to the Chief Guest Marriyum Aurangzeb.