Political and military leadership renew vows to strengthen peace and unity among nation on 77th Independence Day
As Pakistan marks 76 years of independence today, the nation is brimming with patriotic zeal and fervor to pay homage to the unrelenting struggle of the forefathers and national heroes in their quest for a separate homeland.
The day dawned with special prayers across the country and a 31-gun salute in the nation’s capital, Islamabad, and a 21-gun salute in the provincial capitals.
The country’s political and military leadership extended congratulations to the nation and renewed their vows to preserve and strengthen peace, societal harmony and unity among the nation.
President Arif Alvi, outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Prime Minister-designate Anwaarul Haq Kakar, Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan, KP Governor Ghulam Ali, PPP president Asif Ali Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also congratulated the nation on this auspicious occasion.
ANP’s Ameer Haidar Hoti and Aimal Wali Khan, JUI (F)’s Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq, Qaumi Watan Party chairman Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao, political leaders from Balochistan and Sindh, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, also extended heartfelt congratulations to the nation on the 77th Independence Day.
A flag hoisting ceremony was also held at Convention Center in Islamabad where President Dr Arif Alvi was the chief guest while Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani and National Assembly Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf were also in attendance, according to the Radio Pakistan.
Addressing the ceremony, President Alvi called for Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s message of “unity, faith and discipline” to be truly followed. He expressed confidence that Pakistan could become a developed country in a few years.
The president urged politicians and other stakeholders to embrace the path of forgiveness, stressing the importance of embracing Islam’s core values. “My demand to the leaders of this country is to be united,” he added.
Dr Alvi highlighted the necessity of breaking free from nepotism, promoting meritocracy, and ensuring comprehensive justice, particularly in the socio-economic sphere, in order to progress.
While paying tribute to the sacrifices made by “our forefathers in order to give an impetus to the struggle aimed at strengthening Pakistan”, President Alvi recalled the efforts made by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Allama Iqbal, the Quaid and Fatima Jinnah.
On the occasion, President Alvi also urged the international community to pay attention to the resolution of the issue in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
The president also expressed his gratitude to friendly countries – including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, China, Iran and Turkiye – for supporting Pakistan during difficult economic times.
Meanwhile, outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that while the country had defeated many odds and achieved milestones, the “story of Pakistan has yet to reach its culmination”.
“Pakistan’s story from its conception to reality is one of resilience and defiance. While the odds during the freedom movement were the heaviest, they have continued to challenge us in different ways during the course of the last 76 years. No matter how formidable, Pakistan has always prevailed upon them,” he said.
PM Shehbaz paid tribute to Quaid-i-Azam and the “hundreds of thousands of unsung heroes of the freedom movement for their selflessness, sacrifices and devotion to the cause of Pakistan”.
Meanwhile, the military leadership urged the nation to preserve and strengthen peace, societal harmony and unity among the nation, Radio Pakistan reported.
“We should pledge on this day that irrespective of the challenges we face today, we will preserve and strengthen the peace, societal harmony and unity among the nation,” a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations said.
The Pakistan Army vowed to not let “inimical forces succeed, which are hell-bent to create fissures and division among the armed forces and people of Pakistan”.
It resolved that with the support of the nation, the army would “always defend the territorial integrity and peace of the motherland and continue to serve the nation as per the aspirations of the people of Pakistan”.
On the occasion, it noted that the day reminded us of the “vision, fortitude and countless sacrifices which our ancestors offered to realise our elders’ and great Quaid’s dream of a free and independent country”. The ISPR stated that “thousands of sons of (the) soil have laid down their lives for defence of the motherland and to preserve the cherished dream of freedom of our forefathers”. – News Agencies, press statements and our reporter contributed to this report
