Nefarious designs of enemies to be foiled: president

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari reaffirmed the national pledge to stand united against any external and internal threat and said the nation got freedom after immense sacrifices and to protect this freedom was a huge responsibility for which the entire nation and the armed forces were ready to render any kind of sacrifice.

“Unity, faith and discipline’ was the motive given by the founder of the nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah which would enable them to meet all challenges as in the past they had given a befitting response to all external and internal terrorism,” he said while addressing the Pakistan Day parade held at the Presidency on Sunday.

The Pakistan Day Military parade ceremony was held at the Aiwan-e-Sadar, Islamabad, on Sunday.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Chairman Senate Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani, three services chiefs, top military leadership, federal ministers, parliamentarians and members of the diplomatic corps were present during the ceremony. President Asif Ali Zardari said India had always tried to cast an evil eye on Pakistan while Khwarij and other terrorists’ outfits wanted to achieve their evil designs, but he wanted to tell them that the nation and the armed forces were standing in unison and would foil their nefarious designs.

The president congratulated the nation on the historic day and said March 23 is an important day for the nation as they achieved freedom under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam and the dream of Allama Iqbal had made it possible. He said millions of Muslims had sacrificed and turned the dream into a reality on this day and they paid tribute to their martyrs.

The president said the objective behind the creation of Pakistan was the establishment of a modern welfare country based upon principles of equality, justice and rule of law.

On this day, he said they pledged to achieve the same objectives, with the same spirit with which the day was being celebrated. He further stressed that they should also save their young generation from disappointment and despair.

The fifth-generation warfare had turned into a challenge, he said, adding that they had the capacity to overcome difficulties as they were a spirited nation and would not bog down in the face of challenges.

The president expressed the resolve that despite all challenges, they would continue building the nation. “Pakistan is facing geo-political challenges, while their brave armed forces, with support of nation, have been giving unprecedented sacrifices,” he added.

The president stressed the need of further strengthening of defence, boosting of economic sectors including agriculture, and creation of jobs for the youth. Terming the youth ‘an asset of the nation’, he stressed equipping them with the research-based education and the latest technological training.

Besides, he urged all the provincial governments to focus on social welfare initiatives.

He opined that the journey was difficult but not impossible as the nation possessed the real power because determination, hard work and the spirit of patriotism had always steered them out of crises.

The president said that Pakistan’s foreign policy was based upon ensuring stability and peace and they wanted strong ties with their neighbours and the international community based upon mutual respect and shared goals of prosperity.

President Asif Ali Zardari also paid tribute to the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for giving unprecedented sacrifices. He said on March 23, they had not forgotten their Kashmiri brethren and sisters who had been bracing the Indian atrocities, and they extended their full solidarity to them and saluted their unprecedented sacrifices.

The president reaffirmed that Pakistan would continue raising its voice at all global fora for the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and demanded of the international community to ensure the implementation of UN resolutions so that Kashmiris could decide their own future.

The president also expressed Pakistan’s solidarity with the Palestinians and urged the international community to take decisive actions to stop the genocide, and ensure that without any foreign interference, Palestinians should be given the right to decide their own future and sovereignty.

The president appealed to the nation to work for the realisation of true objectives of the motherland and prayed for the nation’s prosperity, unity and strength. He also appreciated the parade commander for arranging the event.

During the ceremony, a flying past was displayed by the Pakistan Air Force. Different formations of Sherdil, Mirage, F-16, JF-17 Thunder and J-10C flew past, piercing through the sky at high speed.

Earlier, the president reviewed the smartly turned-out contingents of the armed forces that took part in the parade. A presidential salute was given to him while the national anthem was played.

The president had arrived at the venue in the traditional presidential chariot accompanied by his bodyguards riding on horses. On the occasion, the military band also presented tunes of the national songs.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged the countrymen to make dedicated efforts in line with Quaid-i-Azam’s principles of Unity, Faith and Discipline to achieve the dream of making Pakistan a prosperous and a welfare state.

The prime minister, in his televised video message on Pakistan Day, thanked Allah Almighty and expressed his gratitude to the forefathers including Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and others, whose foresightedness and wise leadership led to the creation of Pakistan as a separate homeland. He said that the Pakistan Resolution, which was passed on March 23, 1940 stood as a testament to the unwavering commitment of the forefathers to the cause of independence. The prime minister said that Pakistan’s flag symbolized the steadfast resolve and struggle of our forefathers during the Pakistan Movement. “Today, Pakistan stands as a free and sovereign nation, for which we are thankful to Allah Almighty,” he added.

He appreciated the contributions of Pakistan’s armed forces, industries, education sector, and sportsmen making their mark on the global stage and bringing fame to the country with the parliament, judiciary, and executive also fulfilling their constitutional duties.

He said that consequent to the untiring efforts, the government had achieved economic stability and the process of institutional reforms and structural changes was in progress. Prime Minister Shehbaz also saluted the courage of Pakistan’s armed forces, police, Rangers, and law enforcement agencies for their continuous fight against terrorism. “Let us pledge to follow the principles of Unity, Faith, and Discipline, as laid out by the Quaid-e-Azam, and work together to build a great, developed, and welfare-oriented Pakistan,” he remarked.