Pakistanis in NY hold Independence Day parade

NEW YORK - Despite the deepening political crisis and worsening law and order situation in their homeland, Pakistani-Americans kept their morale up and turned out in big numbers for the annual Independence Day parade in New York City on Sunday afternoon.

Men, women and children - sporting national dresses - participated in this annual event with enthusiasm that reflected the vibrancy of Pakistani society and richness of their culture. They warmly exchanged Independence Day greetings, but uppermost in everyone's mind was their concern over Pakistan's slide in almost every field and the absence of any good news from home. Indeed, their conversations mostly centred on the governing coalition's ineffectiveness in dealing with the serious challenges facing the country.