Berlin/Germany, (Mahwish Zafar) – The Embassy of Pakistan in Berlin hosted a prestigious ceremony at Pakistan House to mark the 79th Independence Day of Pakistan. The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the hoisting of the national flag by Ambassador of Pakistan Saqlain Syeda to the national anthem.

Senior officials subsequently read out the messages of the President and the Prime Minister of Pakistan on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Ambassador Saqlain Syeda said that the Pakistani community and friends of Pakistan had gathered to celebrate the 79th Independence Day and reaffirm their connection with the country and its values.

A key highlight of the ceremony was the conferment of the Sitara-e-Pakistan upon German social activist Dr. Santa Sailer by the Government of Pakistan in recognition of her longstanding services for the empowerment of rural women in Pakistan.

Dr. Santa Sailer is widely known in rural Pakistan as the “Mother of Dolls” for her efforts to empower women through development initiatives and for promoting the traditional art of doll-making as a source of skills, dignity and economic opportunity for rural communities.

Born in Vienna and raised in Germany, Dr. Sailer worked as a designer and entrepreneur. During a visit to a Pakistani village in Okara, Punjab, in the 1990s, she became closely involved with local women and began supporting them through handicrafts. She helped introduce and develop traditional doll-making skills among rural women, enabling them to preserve their cultural craftsmanship while creating opportunities for income generation.

The Independence Day celebrations were attended by a large number of members of the Pakistani community, including women and children. Many participants wore green and white outfits and displayed the national spirit with enthusiasm.

The ceremony concluded with Ambassador Saqlain Syeda cutting the Independence Day cake in the presence of guests and members of the Pakistani community.