ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has underscored the need to summon the spirit that marked the Independence Movement and employ the lesson of self-belief and unity to chart the way forward.
PM Shehbaz’s message on Pakistan’s Independence Day
“There is no denying the significance of many milestones we have obtained in the last seven and a half decades, often against opposing conditions. We have confronted the worst natural tragedies, wars and conflicts and always managed to build back better. All along the way, we have jealously guarded the gift of freedom that we so passionately prize, Shehbaz Sharif said in a message on the celebration of 76th anniversary of Pakistan’s Independence.
He extended his heartfelt felicitations to the nation including overseas Pakistanis on the occasion of the independence day.
The Prime Minister said, “The 14th of August is more than just a date; it is a symbol of the Pakistani nation’s resilience, unwavering commitment and courage to freedom. As the nation celebrates this day, it is an occasion to reflect on the sacrifices of the past, celebrate the achievements of the present, and envision a happier future for our citizens,”.
Shehbaz Sharif said the spirit of independence continued to inspire Pakistanis to address challenges and work towards a nation that embodied the principles of equality, justice, and prosperity for all.
“14th of August, let us remember the sacrifices of our forefathers and promise to uphold the values that define our great nation,” the Prime Minister added.
Shehbaz Sharif said the day held a special importance in their hearts, for this historic day saw an extraordinary freedom struggle culminating in the establishment of Pakistan.
Today, they paid rich tributes to the women, men, and children who got together under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam to struggle for the creation of Pakistan, the PM added.
He paid rich tributes to the Quaid-i-Azam’s visionary leadership and others leaders without whom the dream of Pakistan could not see the light of day. The entire nation will eternally remain indebted to these leaders for gifting us with the valuable gift of freedom,” Shehbaz Sharif said.
The freedom struggle for a separate country represented an idea rooted in self-assertion and hope of a better future, he added, saying it was for a country where masses could explore their potential and live a life in prosperity and peace in line with their glorious traditions, culture, ethos, and values.
He added Quaid-i-Azam challenged this interpretation, which was meant to suppress Muslims’ identity and keep them as a minority under the garb of Western democracy.
He added on the one hand, he established that Muslims were a separate nation in every sense and their demand for a separate nation was historically justified and also warned that forcing Muslims to live in a large country under the principle of majoritarianism was a formula for disaster.
“He led a peaceful political and democratic and struggle. So loyal was his willpower and belief unwavering in the justness of his cause that the combined opposition of the ruling British and Congress failed to dent his resolution” Shehbaz Sharif added.
“Two lessons are remarkable in this connection. One, unity was one of the most extraordinary aspects of Pakistan’s independence that emerged from a diverse tapestry of cultures, ethnicities and languages,” the PM observed.
He said 14th of August was not only a celebration of freedom; it was a testament to the capacity of a nation to come together to address enormous challenges.
Pakistan’s flag, the PM said, with its green representing the Muslim majority and white symbolizing minorities, embodied the principle of unity in diversity that to shape Pakistan’s identity.
He further said on the day, they also stood in complete solidarity with the oppressed people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, who were waging a struggle for their right to self-determination.
Islamabad remained committed to providing moral, political, and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir, he added. Despite a four-year military siege and complete information blackout, the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir have displayed remarkable resilience and defiance against the Indian oppressive apparatus, the PM added.
“We call upon the world and human rights organizations to take a serious note of the rights abuses in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. Our position remains strong, advocating for a peaceful resolution of the dispute of IIOJK in line with the UNSC resolutions, recognizing the right of Kashmiri people to decide their own future via a free and fair referendum,” Shehbaz Sharif stressed.
