UNITED NATIONS: Pakis­tan marked its Independence Day at the United Nations (UN) on Monday with a performance by the Lahore-based Sachal Jazz Ensemble in the General Assembly hall.

The iconic hall resound­ed with slogans of “Pakistan Zindabad” and “Jeeway, Jeeway Pakistan” as Pakis­tan’s Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi welcomed guests to the concert.

The hour-and-a-half-long performance was titled ‘Music Beyond Borders’ and was aimed at spreading the message of international peace and harmony. UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Moham­med, who was present as chief guest, praised Pakistan’s contribution to the UN.

“We commend Pakistan’s remarkable dedication to the United Nations peacekeeping with more than 7,000 Pakistanis serving as blue helmets today and more than 170,000 who have served over the decades,” she said.

Talking about Nigeria, Ms Mohammed said that she was raised in the same place that later saw the rise of the Boko Haram militant group. “I know what it’s like to see your home maligned and misunderstood because it was hijacked by those who sought to give us a face that is not ours but that of extremists... lost souls,” she added.

Led by master flutist Baqir Abbas, the performance of the ensemble mesmerised the audience with its popular tracks, including its founder Izzat Majeed’s Shalamar, Dave Brubeck’s Classic Take Five, Lahore Jazz and Tere Ishaq Nachaya.

The evening was rounded off by the highly popular track Shahbaz Qalandar that brought the audience to their feet.

The concert, organised by the Pakistan Mission to the UN, was oversubscribed and attracted people from all walks of life and across all nationalities. It was largely-attended by diplomats, UN officials, members of civil society organisations and institutions of performing arts, international media and Pakistani diaspora.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2017