Today, on the auspicious occasion of National Day of Pakistan, I congratulate all Pakistanis living in the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on behalf of my colleagues in the Embassy and on my own behalf.
2. 23rd March, 1940 is a starting point of a democratic and organized journey by the Muslims of India to achieve a free and sovereign state. They struggled hard under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and won freedom within a period of only seven years. They achieved this goal i.e. free and sovereign State of Pakistan with a peaceful, democratic and constitutional struggle.
3. This day of March 23 not only refreshes our memories of the heroic and historic struggle of Muslims of the subcontinent for a separate homeland but also provides an occasion of self-accountability. Let us not forget our heroes who laid down their lives in the great effort for the creation of Pakistan as well as for the security 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 the achievement of our national objectives as well as progress and prosperity of our beautiful homeland. We believe our progress and prosperity depend on adherence to Islamic teachings and the cherished principles of unity, faith and discipline the motto given to us by Father of the Nation. All Pakistanis living in Pakistan and abroad must follow these golden principles for their personal and national progress and development. Today let us together pray to Allah for the bounty he granted as well as pledge to make Pakistan a modern and moderate Islamic welfare state as envisioned by father of the nation and other leaders of Pakistan movement.
4. During the past 59 years of its creation, Pakistan, with the grace of Almighty Allah, has made a remarkable progress in different socio-economic fields and has brought prosperity to the people. Under the able leadership of President Gen. Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz we are firmly poised to march ahead as a genuine democracy and a progressive and moderate Islamic state.
I assure you that in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Pakistan, the government is moving ahead on the path of good governance, genuine democracy, economic progress and human welfare for which we have had to wait. So Pakistan is witnessing a massive upsurge in economic activity, not seen in our country for several decades, The confidence of domestic as well as foreign investors is gaining new heights on the back of a stable macroeconomic environment. Wide ranging reforms through pragmatic economic policies, financial discipline and consistency and continuity of policies over the last six years have transformed Pakistan into an exciting and resurgent economy. Hence, foreign businessmen and business organizations, as well as Pakistanis living in foreign lands are investing in Pakistan with confidence. Our Saudi brothers, you must have noticed, are also frequently visiting Pakistan not only for exploring business environment and opportunities there but also for business and investment in Pakistan Insha Allah, you will see in the coming months and years a lot of investment from Saudi Arabia will pour into Pakistan.
5. Pakistanis have gained confidence in the economy and Pakistanis living abroad are remitting more money. Hence, our reserves are at an all time high. Our exchange rate is stable and, budget deficit is now below three percent of GDP and we have pre-paid the expensive debt. Pakistan economy grows at a rate of around seven percent and our target in the next two to three years is to reach eight percent. Certainly, Pakistan’s present government has laid the foundation of a stable and strong economy and the stage is now set to grow more vigorously.
6. On the external front, the government of Pakistan is committed to peace and security. We want peaceful co-existence with our neighbors in South Asia and we are sincerely striving for that. Pakistan has always adopted a principled position and through consistent consultations and diplomatic efforts at all levels, stressed for a peaceful settlement of the problems faced by our region. Our leadership has tried its best to reduce differences in the international community on issues of dispute and disagreement and it has always believed that the time and space for diplomacy never ends.
7. Pakistan has also extended full cooperation in fighting international terrorism to the international community and has indeed been internationally recognized as a frontline state. We are trying to fight terrorism on the domestic front as well. The extremist elements growing in the very roots of our society and creating differences on the basis of sectarianism, ethnicities and the ideology of hatred will soon be defeated.
8. It is highly satisfying that the leaders of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always been fully alive to the Islamic injunctions that bind them as well as the binding of the two countries in cordial and brotherly relations. The existing profound understanding between the leaders and peoples of the two brotherly states has always been a basis for promoting meaningful and fruitful cooperation in all fields, to our mutual benefit. The historic visit of King Abdullah to Pakistan in January this year proved the depth of the bilateral relations. The agreements signed during the visit show the keenness on the part of two countries to further reinforce these bilateral ties. The bilateral investment is on a rise and the exchanges of visits of dignitaries to discuss and materialize various arrangements between the two countries to further these relations are more frequent.
9. The people of Pakistan hold Khadim Al-Harmain Al-Sharifain, King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan and the holy land of Saudi Arabia in the highest esteem. The fact that the president and the prime minister of Pakistan visited Saudi Arabia several times in the recent past, also testify to the depth and strength of Pakistan-Saudi Arabia relations. Our economic and trade relations with Saudi Arabia are expanding with 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 two countries are also coordinating and supporting each other in regional and international forums especially the OIC and the UN. Saudi Arabia and Pakistan are specifically playing an active role for OIC and UN reforms. In the present milieu, the leadership of the two countries is more than ever active to revitalize the Organization of Islamic Conference and counter Islamophobia in the Western world.
10. Last year, we had the worst natural disasters in our history, the earthquake in northern past of Pakistan i.e. NWFP and Azad Kashmir. Thousands of people lost their lives and millions rendered homeless. The fortitude and courage with which our nation faced this colossal loss of life and property were commendable. Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia open-handedly contributed in cash and kind for the victims of the earthquake. I am aware that a number of our Pakistani brothers and sisters living in Riyadh and other cities of Saudi Arabia rushed to Pakistan with their donations as soon as they learned about the tragedy. They personally reached very hazardous places in the earthquake-affected area for providing relief assistance to people in need and for consolation of those who lost their properties and relations. Their assistance doesn’t end here. A number of Pakistani organizations in the Kingdom are presently engaged in the rehabilitation process. They are building schools and mosques in the affected area. Similarly, others in Saudi Arabia collected enormous relief assistance which Pakistan Embassy and Consulate either got airlifted or shipped to Pakistan. I commend the commitment, devotion and patriotism of our people, displayed during a difficult period in the history of Pakistan.
11. Our Saudi brethren also helped us generously. They provided prompt and immense assistance for rehabilitation. The Saudi Red Cross and the Saudi government have established their hospitals and offices in the affected areas to extend their helping hand on short and long term basis. The personal gesture of consideration and sympathy of King Abdullah for the affected people in Pakistan has touched our hearts. He appealed his nation to come forward and donate generously for the victims of the devastating earthquake. We always remember this gesture of warm affection and solidarity of the Custodian of two Holy Mosques.
12. On the occasion of Pakistan National Day, I call upon all Pakistanis engaged in various pursuits in the Kingdom to perform their duties with a sense of complete devotion for progress and prosperity of this holy land. I also appeal for your greater commitment to serve the interests of our own beloved country Pakistan. On my part, I assure you that Pakistan Embassy in Riyadh and Pakistan Consulate in Jeddah are keen and determined to look after your well-being wholeheartedly. As you are aware I have arrived exactly 4 weeks ahead of this auspicious occasion of March 23 and have just completed the initial period of settling down, I would like to assure you my personal commitment of providing maximum support and assistance for solving your genuine problems during my three years’ stay in this holy land.
Khuda Hafiz
Long Live Pakistan.
