London: August 15, 2016. (PCP) The 14th of August is a special date in the minds of all Pakistanis wherever they may reside, as important to the widespread diaspora as those who live in the homeland. The date is of course the anniversary of Pakistan's independence and in 2016 Pakistanis celebrated their 69th year as a dominion. This year Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the British Pakistani Christian Association, was invited to attend a flag hoisting ceremony and celebration at the Pakistani High Commission in London, to share in the joy of the creation of the Pakistani state, through a campaign born from the musings of Muhammad Iqbal in 1930 and spearheaded by the acknowledged founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah aka Quaid-i-Azam (supreme leader). Wilson has had a personal invite to every ceremony over the last five years which he has declined, due to the insouciance of previous governments to the concerns of suffering Pakistani Christians. However, in recognition of the efforts of the current Government to bring change into the lives of Christians, Mr Chowdhry decided to attend this years event to express the love Pakistani Christians have with the nation of Pakistan. He also arranged an opportunity for delivering a wreath of flowers to the High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Ibne Abbass, to express condolences for the loss of lives in the terrible Quetta bomb attack that killed over 70 lawyers immediately. On the note accompanying the flowers for the High Commissioner Mr Chowdhry, said: "At this time of great sadness for the nation of Pakistan the global Pakistani Christian diaspora, extends a hand of friendship and solidarity. We continually pray for Pakistan and challenge many wider Christians to pray for our nation also. We condemn attacks of this nature that seek to divide and polarize society and remember the victims. We pray for peace in our nation, healing for those injured and succor for the families who have lost loved ones...." The flowers were delivered to Mr Abbas by Hannah Chowdhry (12 years) the daughter of Mr Chowdhry, She explained the reason for the flowers to Mr Abbas, who was so moved by her words that he gave Hannah a warm hug. Hannah Chowdhry, really enjoyed the experience, she said: "The High Commissioner was very nice and very welcoming and I was proud to be able to represent Pakistani Christians today. I hope they catch the men who killed the innocent lawyers and stop them killing more people the news about the deaths made me sad. I hope Pakistan can be safe for everyone." Despite fleeing Pakistan in their droves due to the persecution they face in the homeland, every Pakistani Christian continue their love for the homeland the place of their ancestors. Wilson Chowdhry our Chairman was born in the UK, yet before his documented ban from Pakistan he travelled back to meet with his family still residing there two to three times every year. In fact, Pakistani Independence day was a time for celebration in his household until his work with the BPCA uncovered gross negligence and poor governance by previous Governments of Pakistan, leading to abject persecution of minorities. However, his faith in Pakistan as a nation is slowly being restored, as the current government is striving to bring change to the plight of suffering Pakistani Christians. Over the past year BPCA have noticed work by the government of Pakistan that have illustrated they are more serious about bringing equality for minorities than any previous government. This includes, placing a prominent Christian leaders face on a Pakistani stamp for the first time ever, in April this year (click here). The Government also took the bold step of hanging the murderer of assassinated Governor Salman Taseer in accordance with Pakistani terrorism laws - sending a clear message that extremists such as Mumtaz Qadri will not be tolerated (click here). In recent weeks, a successful conviction was secured for a Muslim man who raped an innocent Christian girl for the first time in our recollection (click here). Moreover with the help of a diplomat from the Pakistani High Commission in the UK, we were able to thwart a false accusation of theft, before it led to the incarceration of innocent Christian girls who had previously been gang-raped(click here). Moreover, during visits to the Pakistani Embassy in Thailand and High Commission in Malaysia, we were surprised by the candid admittance that Pakistan has failed it's minorities and a willingness to help those seeking asylum, in attempts to serve their citizens (click here). The current government also came the closest of any previous Government in ratifying changes to the blasphemy law of Pakistan. Much needed changes had been incorporated into a draft amendment bill that had been agreed in Parliament and was going to be ratified by the senate. Sadly however the government caved into to extremists, who in the wake of the death of Mumtaz Qadri protested in a mob of over 100,000 outside Government buildings in Islamabad. They demanding dropping of the proposed reforms and death for Asia Bibi, Pakistan's more famous blasphemy law victim - the only woman ever convicted by the draconian laws and a Christian (read her story here). Asia Bibi was meant to have had a Supreme Court Appeal heard in February, however the appeal has been postponed due to the vehemence exhibited by the recent protests. Justice for Asia Bibi may now be a long time coming and this unfortunately undermines the recent progress made by the Government towards minorities. Gains for minorities are extremely small and BPCA have not reduced our campaigning in any sense, but continue to ardently press for fairness and justice. However, we have greater faith in this current Government then we have had for any previous one. Wilson Chowdhry, said: "It was nice to be able to celebrate the independence of Pakistan as a nation again. I have not done so since initially co-founding the BPCA but I feel now is the time to build stronger links with the Government of Pakistan, that we might together work towards the improvement of Pakistan. It has not gone unnoticed that efforts made to improve the lives of minority and these should be commended. However much more has to be done if the cultural genocide targeting Christians in Pakistan is to be eradicated."