Marriyum Aurangzeb felicitates US govt, people on Freedom 250 celebrations

LAHORE, Jul 05 (APP):Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb has felicitated the people and government of the United States on the occasion of the 250 years of the 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.

In her address as Chief Guest at the Freedom 250 celebrations of the US Consulate here, Marriyum Aurangzeb said she was immensely honored to join the Freedom 250 ceremony celebrating the United States Independence Day.

“On behalf of the Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, I extend our warmest congratulations to the people and the government of United States of America on the 250th Independence Day.

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 by the US Consul General Lahore Stetson Sanders.

US Consul General to Lahore Stetson Sanders welcomed the Chief Guest Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb at the Hazoori Bagh 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.

The Senior Minister Punjab said today, we celebrate not only the birth of a nation, but also the enduring values of freedom, democracy, opportunity, and resilience. These values continue to inspire people around the world. Pakistan and the United States share a relationship built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to peace and prosperity. Our partnership continues to grow in trade, diplomatic relations, investment, education, healthcare, technology, climate change, climate resilience, and cultural exchange.

On the significance of the Picture Wall, the minister, who also holds the portfolio of Culture, said the wall that we see behind us is also a reflection of partnership between United States of America and Pakistan, and I personally know because I, I’m also holding a portfolio of tourism across Punjab, so I personally witness the assistance and the partnership that we have in conserving, restoration of the heritage and archaeological sites with the help of United States of America and the friends and the people of United States of America.

“The relationship between United States and America in recent months, my friends, we’ve also seen once again the power of diplomacy and the power of friendship. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, as my friend was just narrating the, the first event that was held in Islamabad, with the support and leadership of Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan played a constructive and a memorable role in bringing peace in the world”, Marriyum added.

The Senior Minister acknowledged the government and the President of United States of America in encouraging dialogue and helping create an environment for peace, trust, and de-escalation in the region.

She said “We also acknowledge the leadership of President Donald Trump in supporting diplomatic engagement and recognizing Pakistan’s efforts. These developments have reinforced confidence in Pakistan as a responsible partner, friend, committed to peace, dialogue, and regional stability.”

Marriyum said the American story, my friends, is a story of courage, sacrifice, enterprise, innovation, and national self-belief, adding that, today, the United States stands as a nation known for innovation, technology, education, culture, and global leadership.

The Minister expressed the resolve to closely with the Consul General Stetson Sanders and explore lots and lots of opportunities being introduced by the Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif , which of course would be a start of new era of partnership in terms of innovation, transformation, value addition, and the industrial growth that the Chief Minister, the entire transformation plan that the Chief Minister has put up for the entire value addition.

She hailed the interest shown by the investors from the United States and around the globe in the private sector and invited Sanders to discuss more openings.

Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb also met with the little performers from the Surtaal Music academy who performed Paksiatn and United States national anthem at the ceremony.

Senior Minister Marriyum Auranzeb congratulated the people of United States on the Freedom 250 celebration before she cut the cake along with the US Consul General Stetson Sanders and the guests.