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Independence Day messages

President, PM urge nation

to make Pakistan a

modern, progressive state

ISLAMABAD: President Farooq Ahmad Khan Leghari has said that through unity, faith, discipline and hard work Pakistan can be taken into the 21st century as a stronger, more stable and prosperous country.

In a message on the Independence Day of Pakistan, the President said "with self-accountability and sincerity of purpose, we are bound to succeed and reap the fruits of independence, for which our ancestors made great sacrifices".

He said "I am confident that by the grace of God Almighty, Pakistan will continue to march towards a brighter and glorious future".

The President said that "The Government has embarked upon ambitious and gigantic programme for the rapid socio-economic development of the country with the active and whole hearted support and cooperation of the people". All of us, therefore, have a national and moral duty to give our best to the nation in order to make Pakistan a modern and progressive Islamic state, he added.

He said that "Pakistan is a unity economically geographically and historically. Our common faith further cements this unity".

Let us resolve on this day that we would rise above the petty prejudices of ethnicity, sectarianism, regionalism, language, caste or creed, to work for the glory of Pakistan, he said.

PRIME MINISTER

The Prime Minister's message said "I wish to extend my hertfelt felicitations to all my countrymen".

"To keep our convenant with the Quaid and to uphold the values for which he fought requires the combined efforts of all the people of the country. Let us, therefore shed our differences, join hands and work unitedly towards the realization of the ideals for which Pakistan was created. Let us not succumb to internal strife, whether sectarian, provincial or ethnic. We must shun fanaticism, terrorism and violence in order to unleash the creative genius of the people so that Pakistan can take its rightful place in the comity of the nations.

"Let us pledge that we will uphold the values of religious tolerance, ethnic harmony and national unity - values so essential for our survival and progress. The best way to commemorate the memory of our founding fathers is to rise above partisan approach and petty personal interests and work for the progress and prosperity of the country to usher the nation into 21st century with honour and pride."

"Let us re-dedicate ourselves, on this historic occasion, to keep the unity fo the country and glory of Islam upper most in our thoughts and deeds. Let the Quaid's teaching of unity, faith and discipline be a beacon for all of us for all times to come, and may Allah give us the courage and strength to build Pakistan into a true democratic state. May Allah bless our efforts and enable us to prove worthy inheritors of Pakistan bequeathed to us by the Quaid", she added.

SINDH GOVERNOR

Kamaluddin Azfar, Governor of Sindh has urged the people to pledge on the occasion of the anniversary of birth of Pakistan to restore peace and tranquillity to the great metropolis of Karachi where Quaid-e-Azam, father of the nation, was born and is entombed.

"Let us pledge our lives for the progress and prosperity of our beloved homeland. On this historic occasion, with spirit of unity, faith and descipline, let us put our shoulders to the wheel and continue to push the country forward to a higher plateau of development, self reliance, peace and prosperity", the governor said in his message on Independence Day.

He said in the decades that have passed since the birth of the state "we have had our share of tribulations. But today the country is poised to move forward on the path of multi-party democracy, respect for human rights, free and independents press, open economy and a balance of power between the federation and the provinces and the organs of the state".

SINDH CHIEF MINISTER

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Abdullah Shah in his message on the occasion of the Independence Day has said, it is expected from every patriotic and democratic persons to ensure that the goals and objectives set forth by our great leaders which are being followed by our Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto so that the nation knocks at the door of the 21st century as one of the most developed democratic Islamic republic nations.

CM NWFP

The NWFP Chief Minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao has stressed upon joining hands for achieving the objectives for which this country was created, for preserving independence for working for national integrity, solidarity, progress and prosperity.

In a message issued here on Sunday on the eve of Independence Day he said that geographically, Pakistan was created on August 14, 1947 but infact, its very foundation was laid with the advent of Islam into India, and that is why, today it is called the fort of Islam.

He said, Pakistan is our motherland, and is dearest to us. He said Pakistan was not only the name of four provinces and a few boundaries. Rather, it has penetrated our bodies like a soul and body without soul is nothing but a corpse.

The chief minister acentuated the need of more unity and cohesion among the people and said this 49th anniversary of Pakistan reminds us that with how many sacrifices our ancestors achieved this country for us from the hands of Hindus and Britishers, who were at that time bent upon to crush the Muslims.

The chief minister on this occasion, appealed to the people of NWFP in paricular and those of Pakistan in general to demonstrate complete unity in their ranks and to foil the nefariouis designs of anti-social elements who were out to harm the very integrity of the counntry and disrupts the peaceful atmosphere of Pakistan.

WAJID SHAMSUL HASAN

LONDON: Pakistan's High Commissioner in London Wajid Shamsul Hasan has asked compatriots in Britain to continue to contribute their best for Pakistan's progress.

In his Independence Day message he told the Pakistani community that Pakistani nation and government hold yo in very high esteem for achieving so much through hard work, dedication and honesty. He also appreciate your growing role in mainstream politics and I hope you will continue to seek, strive and not yield in pursuit of better goals for yourselves and for our country", he added.

He invited them to contribute to progress of the country. If you are a professional, let us have your expertise, if an investor you would be welcome to make investment.

He said as a nation we must fight back evils of sectarianism, ethnicity, parachialism and divisionary forces through Quaid-i-Azam's motto of Unity Faith and Discipline.

He appealed to Pakistani community not to forget the affected Pakistanis and generously contribute towards Prime Minister's Relief Fund to help the uprooted and inundated population.

Drawing their attention to the pathetic plight of the people in Indian occupied Kashmir who are waging a Jihad for their survival, he asked them to extend all support in every field. "We must do our best to break the silence of the so called civilized world for support to their demand for the right of self-determination," Wajid Shamsul Hasan said.

He recalled struggle of Muslims under dynamic leadership of the Quaid-i-Azam to carve out a separate homeland for the Muslims.

IFTIKHAR MALIK

While congratulating the nation on Independence Day Iftikahr Ali Malik, Acting President of the Federation of Pakistan, Chambers of Commerce and Industry said that Pakistan is strongest fort of the Muslims of the world which is a great honour to Pakistanis. The Pakistan attained freedom and made economic progress while practising the golden principles laid by the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He strongly stressed at this moment that our 2nd generation which is ready to lead the nation, must attain maximum education so that Pakistan may emerge as dignified and prosperous country of the world to enter into the 21st century.

He further reiterated that we must emphasis to achieve the most modern methods and latest technology for the trade and industry and should work day and night so that our beloved country may become one of the most industrialized power of the world.

At this moment, Iftikhar Ali Malik strongly recommended to improve the agriculture sector so that the shortage of food should be overcome in the coming times for which he said that Pakistani must attain science and technology so that our industrial production could boost and our products for exports should become of the world standard.

He further laid a very strong stress on the national solidarity and he quoted the golden rule of 'unity' for which he said we must practice and adopt this golden rule for national critical moment and we all should pledge ourself national solidarity as against our personal motives so that Pakistan should become a sign of solidarity and peace for the peace loving nations of the world.

MANZAR ALAM

Shaikh Manzar Alam, ex-chairman Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, Karachi, and co-chairman of Public Relations Committee of FPCCI, has in a felicitation message to the nation on the occasion of Independence Day, stressed the need of solidarity and national integrity.

He said, it is the high time that search our souls, follow the teachings of Islam and abandon the discriminatory attitude towards each other. All of us should join hands for national welfare and unity and work ceaselessly, honestly and devotedly for the integrity and solidarity of a stronger and greater Pakistan, for our indentity, our pride, our greatness, everything goes with it.

It is the time that we raise our hands in supplication and beseech the Almighty Allah for His help and guidance in our endeavours to forge national unity and cohesion, Alam concluded.