A FULL day of activities to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the independence of Pakistan took place in Centenary Square today.

Leaders of Muslim groups as well as MPs and councillors paraded from Randwell Street into City Park with dancing horses and traditional Pakistani drum music taking the lead and followed by West Yorkshire Police band and musicians from the Band of the Royal Armoured Corps.

Rafiq Segal, treasurer for the Council for Mosques said it was good to see so many people stand and watch the parade go past and then watch the entertainment outside City Hall.

“It is wonderful to see so many people together, to recognise the anniversary of when Pakistan became independent, but also to celebrate being park of the UK. For the young people born here it is a reminder of their cultural past but also a celebration of unity.

Pakistan became independent on August 14, 1947 when it was declared a sovereign nation at the end of the British Raj.