Hundreds gathered together for an outdoor family event to celebrate Pakistan Independence Day in Reading.
Each year, a celebration is held to mark Pakistan Independence Day at Palmer Park in East Reading.
This year’s event celebrated the 78th anniversary of Pakistan winning independence from the British Empire in 1947.
It was organised by the Reading Pakistani Community Centre, with the day featuring fun for the family, speeches and the Pakistani national anthem.
People enjoyed free food and live music in the outdoor ‘mela’, a Sanskrit word meaning ‘gathering’.
Entertainment was provided by host Megha Jee and singers Shujat Ali Khan, Shafaq Ali and Sumera Shahzad.
The event was attended by His Excellency Dr Mohammad Faisal, the Pakistani High Commissioner, Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading Central, and Reading Borough councillors.
Mr Rodda said: “It was an absolutely wonderful event, very colourful, really vibrant, a lovely event.”
“It was a wonderful day for the community, a nice opportunity to celebrate.”
The celebration in Reading took place from 12pm to 7pm on Sunday, August 17.
The Independence Day officially took place on Thursday, August 14, with celebrations being organised on varying dates in places with substantial Pakistani heritage populations throughout the country.
Earlier this year, a defibrillator was installed on the outside of the Pakistani Community Centre building, through a collaboration between Mian Saleem Snr, the co-chair, Alderman Tony Jones and community centre trustee councillor Amjad Tarar (Labour, Battle).
