Hundreds of Pakistani nationals gathered at Kotzia Square in central Athens on Saturday to celebrate Pakistani Independe...

Hundreds of Pakistani nationals gathered at Kotzia Square in central Athens on Saturday to celebrate Pakistani Independence Day, turning one of the Greek capital's most prominent public spaces into a large-scale national celebration for a foreign community. The gathering drew significant attention online, with footage circulating of crowds waving Pakistani flags in the square located directly in front of Athens City Hall. The event prompted questions from Greek commentators about the rules governing the use of central public spaces for foreign national celebrations. Greek commentary around the event focused less on the gathering itself and more on the broader policy questions it raises. Whether the city formally permitted the event, what conditions were attached, and whether equal access is granted to all communities are questions that have not been publicly answered by Athens city officials. The Pakistani community in Greece numbers in the tens of thousands, with a significant concentration in central Athens. Community representatives have previously cited their rights as legal residents when engaging with Greek authorities, a position that Greek critics argue must be paired with active participation in Greek civic life rather than the maintenance of separate social structures. No incidents or arrests were reported in connection with the gathering. Athens city authorities have not issued a public statement on the event as of Sunday. #Athens #Immigration #Greece