Pakistan missions abroad to mark March 23 with simplicity, skip receptions

Pakistan’s missions abroad will celebrate this year’s National Day on March 23 with simplicity and limit the celebrations to traditional flag-hoisting ceremonies, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday.

In a post on X, Dar said the country’s diplomatic missions would not host National Day receptions this year in light of austerity measures announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

“This year’s National Day on March 23 will be celebrated with simplicity at all Pakistan’s missions abroad, limited to the traditional flag-hoisting ceremony,” Dar wrote, adding that the decision was also taken “as a mark of solidarity with the countries and peoples of the Middle East and the wider region affected by the ongoing conflict and the tragic loss of innocent lives.”

He said that Pakistan hoped that dialogue and diplomacy would prevail and that peace, stability and prosperity would soon return to the region.

Pakistan marks its National Day on 23 March every year to commemorate the passing of the Lahore Resolution in 1940, a watershed moment in the movement that ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan.

The decision comes amid a series of austerity measures announced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as the government seeks to reduce public spending and respond to the economic and regional situation.

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Under the plan, the government introduced a number of cost-cutting measures across federal institutions. These include reducing fuel allocations for official vehicles, limiting foreign travel for government officials, and limiting government-funded receptions and ceremonial events.

The savings package also provides for a reduction in discretionary expenditure across ministries and departments alongside efforts to lower operating costs in the public sector. The measures were introduced as part of a wider effort by the government to conserve resources and demonstrate fiscal discipline.

The move also comes as tensions and conflicts in the Middle East continue to raise concerns globally.

Officials have said the government’s decisions are aimed both at managing economic pressures and expressing solidarity with countries affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.