Stall holders in Newham’s Green Street celebrate Pakistan’s Independence Day

Flags and banners are adorning many stalls, shops and restaurants along Green Street today in celebration of Pakistan’s Independence Day.

Lines of cars draped in flags with people hooting their horns are also expected to make it down the street, famous for its Asians shops and stalls, this evening.

Each year thousands of people from the Pakistani community celebrate this day and Green Street is the focal point for spontaneous celebrations in Newham.

Newham Council is also flying the Pakistani flag outside East Ham Town Hall today while the Indian flag will be raised tomorrow to celebrate India’s Independence Day.

A spokeswoman for Newham Police said: “Whilst this event is not organised by any particular individual or group, an appropriate policing plan has been put in place to maintain public order, prevent and detect crime and ensure the event passes off as safely as possible with the minimum of disruption to the local community and vehicular traffic passing through the area.”

August 14 is a national holiday in Pakistan commemorating the day the country was declared a sovereign nation following the end of British rule in 1947.