NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has acknowledged Pakistan’s contributions to the United Nations and admired its efforts for Afghan immigrants, saying that the country’s has been at the forefront when it comes to hosting Afghan refugees. He was speaking at an event to mark Pakistan Day at the Pakistan House in New York. He said Pakistan is a beautiful country and he was pleased to participate in the Pakistan Day celebrations. Separately, talking to a private news channel, the UN secretary-general said, “I would like to pay tribute to the very important contribution that Pakistan is… [making] to the United Nations. I have just seen a photo exhibition of Pakistani peacekeepers. They are in many places and around the world, rescuing people, saving lives, and I am very grateful for that cooperation.” The day – starting with the hoisting of the national flag by Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the UN Maleeha Lodhi – was celebrated with fervour and enthusiasm. Maleeha welcomed the UN chief and read out the Pakistan Day message of President Mamnoon Hussain, while Consul General Raja Ali Ejaz read out the message of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Speaking on the occasion, Maleeha paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslims of the subcontinent fir sacrificing their lives for the creation of Pakistan. Since its independence, she said, Pakistan had made much progress, though challenges needed to be negotiated. “Efforts are being made by the government to realise the Quaid’s vision for the country and to defeat militancy and terrorism,” she added. In the 70 years of our independence, she said, Pakistan had achieved a lot to be proud of. “The challenges we face today, as a nation, will be surmounted, as we have done in the past. We are a resilient nation,” she added. Meanwhile, the consul general in New York recalled the services and sacrifices rendered by the founding fathers for the creation of a separate homeland for the Muslims of Indian Subcontinent. The ceremony concluded with a prayer for the prosperity and progress of Pakistan. Besides more than 100 ambassadors and representatives of various countries, all officers and staff of the Pakistani mission and the Consulate General, along with their families, attended the ceremony.