ISLAMABAD, 12 September 2004 — Pakistanis yesterday observed the 56th death anniversary of their country’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah with a pledge to follow his sayings and principles to make Pakistan the prosperous welfare state as he envisioned.
Special prayers were offered in mosques for the soul of the father of the nation. Functions were held to highlight different aspects of the life and character of the Quaid-e-Azam who guided Muslims of the Subcontinent to their separate homeland.
In his message on the occasion, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz called upon his countrymen to carry forward the torch lit by the founding father.
“Let the clarion call go forth: We’ll serve our nation selflessly, the common good shall prevail over individual interests, and the iron will and determination of the Quaid will be our goal examples as we battle the problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy and lawlessness,” Aziz said.
He said the country’s efforts to establish an ideal Islamic welfare state had yet to come to fruition. “The Pakistan Muslim League, the Quaid-e-Azam’s party, has not lost sight of the goal and is determined not to rest until the dream is translated into reality,” he said, adding that there can be no greater tribute to the father of the nation than to work with unity, faith and discipline in building an egalitarian society free from discrimination, persecution and oppression.
