PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sardar Ali Amin Khan Gandapur on Wednesday underscored the importance of unity and patriotism during a ceremony held at the Civil Secretariat to mark the 77th Independence Day of Pakistan.
According to a handout, he told a gathering that the essence of Pakistan’s national anthem was a call for unity and collective struggle, which is vital for any nation’s greatness and progress.
“Every word of our national anthem teaches us unity and patriotism. Nations achieve greatness through unified efforts,” the chief minister remarked.
Reflecting on Pakistan’s past, he acknowledged the country’s greatness while lamenting the setbacks caused by certain poor decisions and policies. However, he urged the nation not to lose hope and instead to work with sincerity, dedication and a clear purpose to restore Pakistan’s former glory.
Extending heartfelt congratulations to all Pakistanis, both at home and abroad, Gandapur offered special felicitations to his party founder, Imran Khan, citing his sacrifices for the country.
He said the Independence Day was a moment to recommit to the vision of Pakistan as dreamt by Allama Muhammad Iqbal, urging the nation to move forward with determination. The chief minister reiterated that August 14 was a day to honour the sacrifices of those who fought for Pakistan’s independence and to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to the country’s progress and prosperity.
He emphasized on the critical role of youth in shaping Pakistan’s future, stating that honesty and hard work were essential to meet the nation’s expectations. The chief minister called on political leaders and government officials to serve the people with dedication and transparency.
“We are here because of the people’s vote, and we must ensure that taxpayer money is spent judiciously and transparently for their well-being,” he added.
Earlier, the chief minister visited the Martyrs Memorial at the Civil Secretariat, where he laid flowers and offered prayers for the departed souls. He also hoisted the national flag, cut an Independence Day cake and reviewed a guard of honour presented by a contingent of the police force.
In a symbolic gesture, the chief minister planted a sapling in the Secretariat’s lawn and urged citizens to plant at least one tree on Independence Day.
The event was attended by provincial cabinet members Pakhtoon Yar Khan, Muzzammil Aslam, Malik Liaquat Ali Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Deputy Speaker Suriya Bibi, Chief Secretary Nadeem Aslam Chaudhry, additional chief secretaries, administrative secretaries, Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan, government officials, schoolchildren and others.
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