Houston witnessed a historic celebration of Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day as thousands gathered for the “Pakistan ACT (Art, Culture & Taste) Festival 2025”, themed “Marka-e-Haq.” The grand event was organized in collaboration with the Consulate General of Pakistan in Houston, the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association, the Pakistan Association of Greater Houston, the Quaid-e-Azam Foundation, and other community organizations. Diplomats, officials, and Houston’s broader community came together in a remarkable display of unity and cultural pride.
The chief guest, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the U.S., Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, hailed overseas Pakistanis as the “true ambassadors of Pakistan.” In his keynote address, he emphasized that Pakistan’s real strength lies in its economic stability and reminded the audience that the sacrifices of Marka-e-Haq must always be remembered as the foundation of a sovereign and self-reliant Pakistan.
Consul General of Pakistan in Houston, Aftab Chaudhry, also addressed the gathering, extending a warm welcome to the dignitaries and expressing gratitude to the community for their support in making the ACT Festival a grand success. He highlighted Houston as one of the most vibrant hubs of the Pakistani community in the United States.
A historic moment of the evening came when Houston Mayor John Whitmire officially proclaimed August 14, 2025, as “Pakistan ACT Festival Day” in Houston. The proclamation, titled “Art, Culture & Taste Pakistan Festival in Houston – Celebrating Pakistan’s 78th Independence Day,” was presented by Gigi Lee, Chief of International Affairs from the Mayor’s Office. The proclamation recognized the Pakistani community’s contributions to Houston’s cultural and social fabric while extending warm wishes to all participants.
Mohammed Saeed Sheikh, the Festival Coordinator and President of the Houston-Karachi Sister City Association, explained that the ACT Festival aimed to celebrate Pakistan’s achievements, honor the sacrifices of Marka-e-Haq, and showcase Pakistani culture in the U.S. He described the proclamation as a milestone in Pakistan’s cultural diplomacy and thanked the community and partners who made this vision a reality.
Siraj Narsi, President of the Pakistan Association of Greater Houston, noted that the spirit of Marka-e-Haq was alive in Houston as thousands of Pakistanis came together under one roof. He added that the festival had set a new tradition that would continue to strengthen ties between Pakistan and Houston in the years ahead.
The festival featured a wide range of colorful programs, including a documentary on Marka-e-Haq, another showcasing the beauty of Pakistan’s four provinces, a historical video on Pakistan, tributes to civil award recipients, and traditional provincial dances. Attendees also enjoyed stalls showcasing Pakistani art, handicrafts, jewelry, clothing, a special playland for children, and food booths offering authentic Pakistani cuisine — with the sweetness of Pakistani mangoes delighting the guests.
Adding to the excitement, Turkish Airlines sponsored a raffle draw with two return tickets, presented by Jamal Hamza on behalf of the airline.
The evening was hosted by Nabeel Ishaq and Rehan Ahmed of Radio Naya Andaz, who kept the audience engaged with their lively presence.
The grand celebration concluded with a powerful live performance by renowned Pakistani singer Tahseen Javed, whose soulful music left the audience mesmerized, making the festival an unforgettable experience.
