Rawalpindi, August 14, 2026: The Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) held a flag-hoisting ceremony on Thursday to mark Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, bringing together business leaders, diplomats, government representatives and members of the business community.
Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, Coordinator to the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme, attended the ceremony as chief guest and was warmly received by RCCI President Usman Shaukat and members of the chamber.
Spanish Ambassador to Pakistan Carlos Aragón Gil de la Serna and Tehreek-e-Jawanan Pakistan Chairman Mohammad Abdullah Gul also attended the celebrations, along with RCCI Senior Vice President Khalid Farooq Qazi, Vice President Fahad Barlas, former presidents, members of the executive committee and other chamber members.
The ceremony included the hoisting of the national flag and a cake-cutting ceremony. On the occasion, a football manufactured in Pakistan for the FIFA World Cup was presented to the Spanish ambassador, highlighting the country’s growing manufacturing and export potential.
Addressing the gathering, Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan highlighted the important role played by RCCI in supporting the government on budget-related matters and strengthening Pakistan’s economic foundations.
He said Pakistan was making progress across various sectors, particularly information technology, and emphasised the importance of the Prime Minister’s Vision 2047 as a roadmap for building a prosperous, self-reliant and globally competitive Pakistan.
The prime minister’s youth coordinator stressed that empowering young people, creating employment opportunities, maintaining peace and ensuring economic stability were essential for the country’s long-term development.
He also appreciated the business community’s contribution to national economic growth and encouraged greater collaboration between the government and private sector to unlock Pakistan’s economic potential.
The ceremony concluded with renewed calls for national unity, economic development and collective efforts to build a stronger and more prosperous Pakistan.
