Pakistan Embassy Honors Founder With Permanent Statue in US Capital
A statue of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, has been unveiled at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington during Independence Day celebrations.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, formally unveiled the statue on Friday.
The ceremony was attended by members of the Pakistani-American community, diplomats and media representatives.
The statue was donated by the Quaid-i-Azam Foundation of Houston.
It will remain permanently displayed at the Pakistan Embassy in Washington.
The unveiling added a historical dimension to Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations in the United States.
It also comes as Pakistan prepares to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah later this year.
Ambassador Sheikh paid tribute to Jinnah’s leadership and his role in the creation of Pakistan.
He said Pakistan remained deeply grateful for Jinnah’s constitutional struggle and sustained political efforts.
The ambassador said Jinnah’s leadership united Muslims of the subcontinent and helped transform the idea of Pakistan into an independent state.
He urged Pakistanis, particularly those living abroad, to follow Jinnah’s principles of unity, faith and discipline.
Independence Day Ceremony Highlights Pakistan-US Relations
The event began with the raising of Pakistan’s national flag as the national anthem was played.
Verses from the Holy Quran were also recited during the ceremony.
Messages from Pakistan’s president, prime minister and deputy prime minister were read to participants.
In his address, Ambassador Sheikh also highlighted Pakistan’s importance in its relationship with the United States.
He spoke about cooperation between Islamabad and Washington across several strategic and economic areas.
His remarks followed an Independence Day message issued by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Rubio highlighted cooperation between Pakistan and the United States in areas including regional mediation, critical minerals and energy.
He also referred to counterterrorism, cultural heritage, trade and investment as important areas of bilateral cooperation.
The reference to regional mediation was particularly significant amid Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement with both Washington and Tehran.
Islamabad has sought to use its relations with the United States and Iran to support dialogue and reduce regional tensions.
Pakistan has repeatedly emphasised diplomatic engagement as a way to prevent further escalation and maintain regional stability.
The Independence Day ceremony therefore served not only as a cultural and historical event but also as a platform to highlight the evolving relationship between Pakistan and the United States.
Community Leader Waqar Ali Khan Receives Pride of Performance Award
The event also included an investiture ceremony recognising the contribution of a prominent Pakistani-American community leader.
Waqar Ali Khan received the President’s Award for Pride of Performance.
The award recognised his decades of service to the Pakistani community in the United States.
He was also honoured for his role as a cultural ambassador and his efforts to strengthen community engagement.
The ceremony brought together historical remembrance, national celebration and diplomatic outreach.
The permanent installation of Jinnah’s statue at the embassy is expected to serve as a lasting symbol of Pakistan’s founding ideals.
It also reflects efforts to connect future generations of Pakistani-Americans with the country’s history and political heritage.
By placing Jinnah at the centre of the Independence Day event, the embassy highlighted both Pakistan’s past and its continuing diplomatic engagement with the United States.
