ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain Tuesday said the co-incidence of celebrating the Independence Day and the general election contained a message that Pakistan was founded with the will of people and its destiny would be decided by their vote.
The people had once again attested to that reality on July 25 that their representatives could only be those whom they granted the certificate of representation, he added.
The president was addressing the main ceremony held at the Jinnah Convention Center to mark the 71st Independence Day celebrations. Caretaker Prime Minister Justice retired Nasir-ul-Mulk, three services chiefs, members of the federal cabinet, parliamentarians, foreign diplomats, students and a large number of people attended the event.
President Mamnoon observed that only those laws would be called fair which were enacted with complete honesty, sincerity and hard work by the public representatives. History told that only those laws became successful and accepted by the people which were made in accordance with their wishes, he added.
“The biggest advantage of such laws is that they do not require hard work, resources and force for their implementation, rather this national wealth is allocated for the service and welfare of the people,” he said.
The president said the objective of establishing Pakistan was also to emancipate people from the slavery of others so that they could independently live their lives according to their beliefs, as well as to eliminate all kinds of exploitation to provide them their basic rights.
During the past 70 years, despite many ups and downs, he said, Pakistan had made a lot of progress in that direction. However, they should openly confess that they had not fully achieved their targets and there was a need to focus on the causes and hurdles which prevented them from achieving the aims, he added.
It was, however, satisfactory to note that there was consensus among the nation on national matters, especially making the electoral process duly organized and transparent, he said.
The government and the opposition parties, he added, had worked together diligently and drafted electoral reforms whereby the Election Commission was given wide and extensive powers. It was need of the hour to empower such institutions for a better future and collective decision making, he stressed.
He said the past general elections were very difficult in the way that there were recurring terrorist incidents in some parts of the country, especially Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
“We salute the Pakistani nation, who defeated the menace of terrorism with their passion and perseverance, and ensured successful holding of general elections. We also pray to the Almighty and pay rich tribute to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the fight against terrorism,” he added.
The president said on the Independence Day, they did fondly remember the people of Kashmir and their historical sacrifices.
Reiterating political and moral support to the Kashmiri brethren till resolution of the issue in accordance with the United Nations resolutions, he said Pakistan appreciated the international leaders and human rights organizations, who had supported the freedom movement in Indian occupied Kashmir and condemned the gross human rights atrocities there.
The president called upon the international community to listen to their conscience and raise their voice in support of the legitimate rights of Kashmiris.
He said the dream to achieve the past glory and the pinnacle of development for the motherland could not be realized until there was a broad consensus regarding national objectives and all segments of the society would have to work in unison by rising above their individual and parochial interests.
“From the head of the state to a farmer and a labourer, it is our responsibility that we should accord it utmost priority like other necessities of life so that all doubts and speculations about the existence, objectives and future of Pakistan are put to an end,” he added.
That task, he said, should also be performed by teachers, thinkers, media and national leaders, as was the best possible way to resolve the complex economic, social, political and educational challenges currently being faced by the country.
The President said Pakistan was not just a pleasant feeling, a fragrance and a belief but it was an embodiment of all the concepts also. Congratulating the nation, he said the Independence Day grew their passions stronger and energized their ambitions to serve the country.
He noted that there was a generation gap between the people who struggled for Pakistan and the younger generation, yet it was a matter of satisfaction that the new generation had a lot of love for their country and sincere desires to make it progressive and prosperous.
The president stressed upon the need for continued efforts to keep the young generations aware of the purpose of Pakistan’s establishment, and the passion and sacrifices rendered by their forefathers for its creation.
“National days are celebrated to remind the people, especially the coming generations, about the national causes and the efforts made to achieve them. However, if the thought and philosophy behind such days is ignored, ceremonies like flag hoisting on these occasions become routine exercises,” he cautioned.
The president said Pakistan was founded with great struggle and huge sacrifices by the forefathers and now it was the duty of the coming generations to model it according to the dreams of their ancestors.
In order to achieve that goal, he emphasized that there was a need to establish cordial relations, harmony and brotherhood among different segments of the society. Like the great day of the Triumph of Makkah, it could only be done by setting aside differences, grievances and disagreements, and following the path of development with comprehensive planning.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain and Caretaker Prime Minister retired justice Nasir-ul-Mulk have extended heartiest felicitations to all countrymen on the auspicious occasion of the Independence Day.
In their separate messages, both the leaders said the day refreshes our enthusiasm and rejuvenates the resolve to work for the progress and prosperity of motherland.
President Mamnoon Hussain in his message on the occasion said that Pakistan is a blessing of Almighty Allah and a haven for the Muslims of the Sub-Continent.
He said the economic problems being faced by Pakistan and the complex issues confronting it can only be overcome by following the teachings of the Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal in their true spirit.
In his message, the caretaker Prime Minister said August 14 reminds us of the epic democratic struggle of our forefathers for securing a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Sub-Continent where they could fashion their lives according to their religious, cultural and social values.
Nasir-ul-Mulk said the Unswerving commitment to the ideals of the Quaid and following the principle of ‘Unity, Faith and Discipline’ would certainly help us overcome our present-day challenges and make Pakistan a self-reliant, economically vibrant and a prosperous country.
Meanwhile, President Mamnoon Hussain and Caretaker Prime Minister Justice (Retd) Nasir-ul-Mulk Tuesday jointly hoisted the national flag to mark the beginning of Independence Day celebrations.
A grand ceremony was held at the Convention Center in connection with the Independence Day celebrations, which was attended by the three services chiefs, members of the federal cabinet, parliamentarians, foreign diplomats and a large number of people.
On the occasion, the National Anthem was played. A number of national songs along with regional songs and dance performances were also presented.
At the end of the ceremony, the president, prime minister and three services chiefs mingled with the students and the people. – NNI