Today, we celebrate Pakistan’s 69th Independence Day with great honor and prestige.

By celebrating the Independence Day, we express our commitment to the spirit and objectives of the creation of Pakistan and devote ourselves to make Pakistan a developed, welfare and truly democratic state.

On this auspicious occasion, all members of the Consulate General of Pakistan in Jeddah extend their sincere, warm and heartiest felicitations to the Pakistanis in the Kingdom as well as to those living in Pakistan and other foreign countries.

The Independence Day Pakistan is our identity.

Countless people gave their blood to give this identity to us and our next generations.

They provided us a land which is our pride, which provides us security and which is our future. Aug. 14th is marked to pay homage to our forefathers and acknowledge their devotion and commitment to the movement for the creation of Pakistan. By celebrating the Independence Day, we express our own commitment to the spirit and objectives of the creation of Pakistan and devote ourselves to make Pakistan a developed, welfare and truly democratic state.

Pakistan was created with an objective of providing equal opportunities to all its inhabitants without any discrimination.

The creation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan was the result of the heroic and dynamic leadership of Qauid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

The vision of Quaid-e-Azam is our road map for a prosperous Pakistan. The democratic government under the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is fully committed to the Quaid’s vision.

With the grace of Almighty Allah and the active support of the people, the government has put the country on the trajectory of development. All economic indicators are positive, which provide us a hope for a better future.

The government is also committed to weed out extremism and terrorism from the country for the safety and security of the people of Pakistan.

The successful and continued operation Zarb-e-Azb is part and parcel of the government’s dynamic policy to restore peace and stability in the country.

We pay tribute to the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for their services and sacrifices.

Pakistan is a nation that promotes and advocates friendly relations among nations based on the principles of political equality, non-discrimination and shared socio-economic prosperity. The relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia is unique and exemplary. Our fraternal relations are based on unanimity of views on all international and regional issues.

Our two countries always endeavour to further enrich this relationship.

The historic and landmark visit of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to Pakistan, in his capacity as the then crown prince, strengthened the bilateral relationship.

The meetings of the President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif with the Saudi leadership during their recent visits to Saudi Arabia have enhanced the level of bilateral relationship.

Pakistani community in Saudi Arabia is one of the strongest links in our relationship with the Kingdom.

The love and affection of King Salman and the Royal family as well the government of Saudi Arabia for Pakistanis and Pakistan is the manifestation of close ties between the two countries.

They have always supported Pakistan and given special dispensation to Pakistani expatriates living in the Kingdom.

We pray for his health and long life.

The Independence Day is also a day of reflection for us.

It demands of us to dedicate our energies for future of Pakistan as envisioned by Allama Iqbal and Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. For this purpose, we must demonstrate exemplary unity and solidarity.

The role and contribution of expatriates through projection of Pakistan’s positive image and also in terms of their remittances is an assurance as well as insurance of a vibrant and prosperous Pakistan.

On this historic day, let us pledge to build and promote image of Pakistan. Let us commit ourselves to promote unity among ourselves. Let us renew our commitment to Pakistan’s progress and prosperity.

Let us work to further strengthen relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. Let us also pray for the security and prosperity of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Long live Pakistan.

Long live Pakistan-Saudi Arabia friendship.

— Aftab A. Khokher

Consul General of Pakistan