Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar. Photo: SCREENSHOT
Pakistan’s missions abroad will celebrate March 23 national day this year with simplicity and limit celebrations to traditional flag hoisting ceremonies, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar said on Thursday.
This year, the National Day of March 23 will be celebrated with simplicity in all Pakistan’s missions abroad, limited to the traditional flag hoisting ceremony.
In light of the austerity measures announced by the Prime Minister, and as a sign of solidarity with the countries and people of…
-Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) March 12, 2026
In an article on
“This year’s March 23 National Day will be celebrated with simplicity in 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 people of the Middle East and the wider region affected by the ongoing conflict and the tragic loss of innocent lives.”
He said Pakistan hoped that dialogue and diplomacy would prevail and peace, stability and prosperity would return to the region soon.
Pakistan celebrates its National Day on March 23 each year to commemorate the adoption of the Lahore Resolution in 1940, a historic moment in the movement that ultimately led to the creation of Pakistan.
The move 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.
Read: The government wants to ensure financial stability
As part of this plan, the government introduced a number of cost-cutting measures in federal institutions. These include reducing fuel allowances for official vehicles, limiting foreign travel by government officials and limiting government-funded receptions and ceremonies.
The austerity plan also calls for a reduction in discretionary spending in ministries and departments, as well as efforts to reduce operational costs in the public sector. These measures were introduced as part of a wider government effort to conserve resources and demonstrate fiscal discipline.
The move also comes as tensions and conflicts in the Middle East continue to cause global concern.
Officials said the government’s decisions were aimed both at managing economic pressures and expressing solidarity with countries affected by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
