I wish to extend my sincere felicitations to my fellow Pakistanis on the auspicious occasion of Pakistan National Day.

It was on 23rd March 1940, when the Muslims of the subcontinent under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah through a resolution expressed their united will to form a separate homeland where they could live freely in accordance with their faith. In less than seven years of the adoption of the resolution, Pakistan emerged as the largest independent Muslim country on the map of the world.

23rd March not only refreshes our memories of the heroic struggle of the Muslims of the subcontinent but also reminds us of the sacrifices made for the creation and defense of our beloved country.

Pakistan is today a country rapidly moving on the path of progress and development under the leadership of Gen. Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz. Reforms in all sectors have been successfully introduced and are being implemented. A new vision and sense of direction has been given through “enlightened moderation.” We stand firm with sincerity among the comity of nations and have assumed a key role among the Muslim Ummah. Pakistanis have also demonstrated to the world that our people have the courage, fortitude and resolve to meet all the challenges of our time.

Pakistan as a peace-loving country has taken a number of initiatives to amicably resolve all disputes including Kashmir. The world community is realizing that a just and peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute in line with the UN resolutions guaranteeing Kashmiris the right to self-determination is extremely important for the cause of peace and prosperity in South Asia.

On this happy occasion, I wish to request my fellow countrymen in the Kingdom to make best use of their abilities to further strengthen the cordial and brotherly relations with their Saudi brothers.

Let us promise today that we would keep the interests of our country foremost and work together for making Pakistan a dynamic, prosperous, tolerant and true Islamic state.

Masood Akhtar

Consul General of Pakistan