I feel privileged to greet my fellow countrymen on the auspicious occasion of Pakistan Day today. Sixty-five years ago, on this day, Muslims of the South Asia, under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, in Lahore on March 23,1940, resolved to work for an independent Muslim state. The Lahore Resolution which later on came to be known as Pakistan Resolution, imparted new vigor and impetus to the movement for independence and gave the Muslims a new sense of purpose and direction.
Quaid-e-Azam embodied Islamic principles of tolerance and humanism which enabled him to rally, not only Muslim public opinion of all shades but also support from other minorities, to demand and create a separate Muslim homeland. It is a tribute to his leadership and honesty of purpose that within a short period of seven years he secured Pakistan against heavy odds and through peaceful means. Pakistan's role in the fight against terrorism abroad and militancy at home has brought it accolades. Pakistan continues with this policy not due to any external pressure or desire to please anyone but as a national agenda aimed at translating Quaid-Azam's vision of Pakistan into reality.
In a period of sixty-five years, the resolute and proud people of Pakistan have valiantly and gracefully withstood the challenges posed to them from both abroad and within the country to take Pakistan to a position of prominence among the comity of nations. No doubt there have been some shortcomings but none so great to retard our march toward progress and prosperity. The government of Pakistan is well aware of the problems besetting the nation and is successfully implementing several policies with the prime objectives of reviving the economy, rooting out corruption, political restructuring and good governance. With these purposeful policies marked with sincerity of purpose and deep commitment, the nation can look forward to a stable and prosperous Pakistan.
The government has also vigorously pursued a prudent and pragmatic foreign policy to safeguard and further promote Pakistan's vital interests abroad. While the government has further strengthened and cemented its ties with its friends abroad, it has also taken several bold but peaceful initiatives to lessen tensions in a nuclearized South Asia by seeking a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue. The people and the government of Pakistan continue to stand with their Kashmiri brethren in their legitimate struggle for their right of self-determination, as promised to them by the United Nations.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia enjoy excellent brotherly relations characterized by common bond of Islam, shared cultural heritage and commonality of perception on regional and international issues.
I take this opportunity to urge my Pakistani brethren living in the Kingdom to continue to work with sincerity and devotion in cementing the brotherly relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. While doing so they should also remember their duties toward their own country and should continue to participate selflessly in meeting the challenges faced by Pakistan.
