ISLAMABAD - President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif have urged the nation to truly follow the guiding principles of Quaid-I-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah -- unity, faith and discipline --- and transform the country into a strong democracy to face the ever-changing global challenges.
They expressed these views on Saturday in their separate messages on the eve of Pakistan Day (March 23).
Mamnoon Hussain said, "The commemoration of Pakistan Day each year is an occasion to reiterate our pledge towards those ideals that led to the creation of our beloved homeland. It is an occasion to pay tribute to our great leaders who withstood all adversities but remained steadfast in their mission to secure a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent."
"The day is also an occasion to pass on the thought behind the creation of the state and to prepare the future architects achieve and uphold those noble ideals," he stressed.
He said, "Let us never be oblivious of the fact that unparalleled democratic struggle by our ancestors was aimed at providing the Muslims of the sub-continent a place where they could develop to the fullest spiritual, cultural, economic, social, and political life in a way that they thought best and in consonance with their own ideals and genius. Let us always hold high the banners of democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law through which this state was created."
Mamnoon said while commemorating this day with traditional zeal and spirit, "Let us also pause and reflect on our achievements and the challenges. It is indeed a matter of great satisfaction to note that the nation is striving to overcome various challenges under a democratic dispensation. The sayings and the path shown to us by our Quaid and other leaders would continue guiding us towards realising our cherished goals and objectives."
The President said, "Let us on this day pledge ourselves to sincerely follow the principles of unity, faith and discipline as a guiding force to face all the challenges that we face today. I am confident that our collective efforts marked by patriotism, sincerity, commitment and honesty would help us steering this country towards greater prosperity and glory."
In his message, Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan was passing through a critical stage in the history; however, the resilient nation had braved the daunting challenges with the spirit of one nation. He asked the nation to pledge that no effort would be spared to ensure respectable status for the country in the comity of the nations. "Pakistan is our identity that we have earned through immense sacrifices. This day reminds us of the vision of Allama Iqbal, historic struggle, immense sacrifices and firm resolve of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Muslims of the subcontinent in search of a separate homeland to live in peacefully and fashion their lives according to their own belief and culture," he stressed.
Highlighting the historical significance of March 23, he said it was a milestone in the history of Pakistan when the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent passed the historic Lahore Resolution in the 27th annual meeting of All-India Muslim League. This resolution gave a clear objective to the Muslims and united them for the attainment of a shared goal, he said.
Nawaz said countless people had given their blood to kindle the light of freedom and millions had to leave their homes to attain this purpose. "Our elders sacrificed their present for the sake of preserving our future. Today we remember our forefathers and pay our gratitude to them for making extraordinary sacrifices to give us an identity. The sacrifices laid down by the founding fathers of the country demand that every effort should be made for achieving the objectives of Quaid-e-Azam's vision," he said.
The PM maintained, "I reckon, as a leader of founding party of Pakistan, the responsibility to solve the problems Pakistan has been facing, lies more on our shoulders. The people of Pakistan have expressed their confidence in PML-N in 2013 elections and our government is committed to implement its reform and development-oriented manifesto throughout the country in letter and spirit."
Nawaz said, "Our government is committed to preserving our great cultural heritage and national identity and making our earnest efforts for bringing about economic and social revival in Pakistan. I pray to Allah Almighty to enable us to protect Pakistan and put it on the road of progress and prosperity."