On this auspicious occasion of Pakistan Day, on behalf of all my colleagues in the Embassy, I congratulate Pakistani community residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and extend my felicitation.
March 23 is a day of great historic significance for all Pakistanis. It was on this day in 1940 that the Muslims of the subcontinent finally expressed their resolve and determination to have a separate homeland for themselves - a homeland wherein they could live as a sovereign independent state with peace, honor and dignity. The historic Pakistan resolution was passed at the 27th session of the All India Muslim League at Lahore and the struggle of the Muslims in India for a separate homeland entered into its decisive and final phase. From then onward, in a short span of seven years, under the great and dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the dream of the Muslims in India became a reality. The miraculous achievement from the concerted efforts of the Muslims, appeared on the map of the world as a sovereign homeland, for them i.e. Pakistan, after great sacrifices of the Muslims and effective guidance of our great leaders.
While it is a day of rejoicing and celebrations for all Pakistanis, it is also the day that reminds us of the tremendous sacrifices, resilience and hard work that our ancestors had put in to achieve our freedom and sovereignty. It is therefore also incumbent upon us to renew our resolve and commitment and to rededicate ourselves to the glorious principles of Islam and to the teachings of Allama Iqbal and the Quaid-e-Azam. Our ancestors struggled and sacrificed so that posterity could live with honor and dignity in a prosperous and free country. Let us not forget our heroes who laid down their lives in the struggle for creation of Pakistan as also for the safety and sovereignty of the young state of Pakistan after its independence. It would, therefore, be most befitting that today we all pledge to continue working steadfastly toward achievement of our national objectives and toward progress and prosperity of our beautiful homeland.
During the last 56 years of its existence, by the grace of Allah Almighty, our nation has in spite of many setbacks made remarkable progress.
The government's seven-point national agenda including the revival of good governance, better provincial harmony, economy, self-reliance and national reconstruction, has not only passed the implementation stages but now its positive results could be seen. Responsive to the aspirations of the people of Pakistan, the government has already moved well ahead on the road to good governance, even-handed accountability, genuine democracy and progress and development for which the nation had been waiting for a long time.
Structural economic and fiscal rules have been introduced to revive and revitalize the country's economy and the results are clearly manifest in the substantially increased foreign exchange reserves of the government. The government has also taken forceful measures to uproot the evils of corruption from the country. With the blessings of Almighty Allah the provincial and national assembly elections and Senate elections followed by formation of the government have been successfully completed. The country is united and the nation is embarked on the road to stability, economic development and social progress.
On the external front, the government of Pakistan is committed to peace and regional security. We want peaceful co-existence with our neighbors. We are against any arms race in South Asia. It is in this pursuit of regional stability and goodwill that the government has made numerous offers to India for a meaningful, result-oriented dialogue at any time, at any level and anywhere, for all disputes between the two countries. The people and the government of Pakistan remain committed to extend to the Kashmiri people all possible moral and diplomatic support till they secure their right of self-determination as promised to them by the United Nations. The international community has welcomed the recent Pakistan-India contacts and let us hope that these contacts will take a concrete result-oriented shape.
Pakistan has extended full cooperation in fighting international terrorism to the international community and has indeed been internationally recognized as a front-line state. Pakistan always adopted a principled position and through consistent consultations and diplomatic efforts at all levels, stressed for a peaceful settlement of the problems confronting the international community. Our leadership tried its best to reduce differences in the international community on this issue and it always believed that the time for diplomacy never ends.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy excellent brotherly and fraternal relations characterized by common bonds of Islam and shared cultural heritage. The fact that the president and the prime minister of Pakistan visited Saudi Arabia several times, testify to the depth and strength of Pakistan-Saudi relations. Our economic and trade relations with Saudi Arabia are expanding with the time.
The leadership in both countries, reflecting the deep aspirations of the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, are determined to carry the bilateral ties to new heights. The recent visit of Crown Prince Abdullah to Pakistan and President Musharraf's successful visit to the Kingdom have further enhanced the existing bonds of friendship.
I take this opportunity to call upon all Pakistanis residing the Kingdom to perform their duties with a sense of complete devotion for progress and prosperity of this Holy Land. I also request you to remember your commitment to our own beloved country and actively participate in its developments. I commend and appreciate the patriotic spirit with which you always respond to all national calls. I would also urge you all to inculcate in yourselves esprit de corps, harmony, unity and tolerance for others in all community affairs. You will surely emerge as a happier, healthier and more coherent community in the Kingdom.
Let me reassure the Pakistani Community that the Embassy of Pakistan will remain at their service and help and I pray for the continued progress and welfare of the Pakistani community living in the Kingdom. In return foreign exchange being remitted by the Pakistan community to their homeland is not only acknowledged with deep appreciation but it is playing a vital role in the economic stabilization of the country. I am confident that each member of the Pakistan community will strive hard to make a significant contribution to strengthen the existing excellent relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan as well as to achieve national cohesion and integration.
May God be with us all.