Leadership must get united on Constitution: President

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Monday urged the national leadership to get united on the Constitution and they should overcome complaints and concerns with regard to one another.

He said that he expected moderation and rationality from the national leadership. He called upon the leadership to concentrate on the anxiety and restlessness of the people, particularly the youth.He said the nation should bury its differences and get united for the stability and development of the country.

He said those nations of the world tread on the path of development and progress that had cast away despondency with determination to achieve their national objectives.Speaking at a ceremony held at the Jinnah Convention Center to mark the 70th Independence Day, the president said today they were hoisting the national flag to pay tributes to the historic struggle of the leaders of the Independence Movement.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq, Senate Chairman Raza Rabbani, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Zakaullah, a large number of parliamentarians, diplomats, students and people from different walks of life.

The nation on Monday celebrated the 70th Independence Day with traditional enthusiasm and national resolve.The day dawned with 31-gun salutes in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in the provincial capitals. Special prayers were offered at Fajr prayer in mosques across the country for the progress and prosperity of the country.

Special ceremonies were organised in villages, towns and cities across the country including the provincial capitals, Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan embassies, high commissions across the globe and at the United Nations.

President Mamnoon said that it was the time to examine the long history of construction, development and stability of Pakistan.

Amid a huge applause by the audience, the president said that certain issues confronted by the country also required  national flag today, we need to reiterate our strong resolve to always uphold the values of determination and dedication for the objective of development of Pakistan," he added.

He said some elders raised questions about certain matters whereas the youth felt anxious about their future.

The challenging surrounding situation had created intensity in behaviours, he noted, adding, "In such a situation, the national occasion like Independence Day not only provides an opportunity to deliberate but also paves the way for resolving these issues.”

The president said that he believed that the universal ideals, teachings of the freedom movement leaders and the glorious history could provide answers to all these burning questions of this era in the light of which they could improve their present and the future.

"It is good to think and be concerned about future of the country but it is not right to be dejected because the nations which tread the path with great determination are always successful in overcoming their challenges," he added.

The president said during review, examples of their unprecedented success in various spheres of life would come forth and some problems would also be identified which led to the creation of the issues.

He said the nations in the world had faced myriad issues but they rose up after mustering strength from trials and tribulations. He advised the youth that instead of becoming frustrated they should demonstrate wisdom and become a source of fulfillment of the national goals.

He stressed that emulation of basic principles in life and sticking to respect for the rule of law by individuals in their personal lives could help achieve marvels. The president said that the national issues should be judged in their true perspective rather than seeing them out of context.

He noted that democratic and parliamentary system reflected the desire of the whole nation and urged the nation to rise above their minor divides and work for the solidarity and stability of the country.

He said since the creation of Pakistan, the country experimented with different systems of government but what the reason was that continuity had not been attained in these matters. One reason could be that instead of giving due time to these systems for proper development, they became restless due to which these systems could not fully develop according to their natural pace.

"That is why it is imperative that before treading a new path, experiences of the past should be thoroughly reviewed," he added. He urged the whole nation especially all stakeholders to unite under the Constitution of Pakistan in the national interest by setting aside their differences and ensure its supremacy.

The Constitution was a document which would show path to realize national objectives by rising above the personal interests, he added. The president said that it would also guarantee progress and stability of the motherland as a manifestation of national aspirations.

The president said if circumstances from the freedom movement and creation of Pakistan were reviewed minutely, it became clear that the nation's temperament was primarily democratic and parliamentary upon which it had repeatedly expressed its confidence.

"It is ironic that the system in line with our temperament could not fully develop,” he said. “In such cases, it is necessary that the nation should create a broader consensus by rising above parochial and class interests," he added.

He said it was imperative that they all should respect their collective decisions to smoothly continue the journey of national development instead of undertaking new experiences. "It will lead to stability of the state and its system, maturity of democratic behaviours and also pave the way for national development,” the president said.

“Unless all segments and schools of thought of the society are completely united on a national strategy, success remains elusive," he stressed. The president said the poet-philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Father of the Nation Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah were the leaders who remained unnerved and encouraged the Muslims to follow the path of moderation and sagacity.

In present conditions, the nation also expected the same conduct from the leadership that they should protect the future of the country and nation by rising above their parochial and vested interests, the president said.

"In this perspective, I want to make it clear that if sanity did not prevail in the current situation, our dream of economic revival will not be materialised and the nation will never forgive us for this laxity," he warned.

Welcoming the presence of Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang, the president said it reflected the deep ties between Pakistan and China as both the countries had shared views on various global issues. The bilateral ties were significant ones in the context of bilateral progress, prosperity and regional cooperation and stability, Mr Mamnoon Hussain said.

The president said that the glittering moon and star on the national flag were reflective of happiness of the people of this country and guided them towards the path to progress and excellence.

The president expressed the hope that the nation, especially youth, would perform their national duty in such a befitting manner that they would forever be remembered in golden words in history.

Speaking on the occasion, Vice-Premier of the State Council of People's Republic of China Wang Yang highlighted the significance of Pak-China ties resembling them to proverbial higher than mountains, stronger than steal and sweeter than honey.

Wang Yang felicitated the Pakistani nation on its 70th Independence Day and expressed his government's determination to support Pakistan in its efforts for development, regional stability and securing its national interests and sovereignty.

He said the Pakistani nation was a hard working, peace loving and determined one and its sacrifices against terrorism were unmatched and unforgettable. With self-reliance and hard work, the nation was excelling in different fields of life, he added.

The vice premier said China and Pakistan stood closely as ever on different world issues after establishment of their bilateral ties. He recounted Pakistan's support for China in difficult times and said the all weather friendship stood tests of time.

Under the vision of President Xi Jinping, China wanted to further take this strategic partnership to new heights. Yang said the Chinese government desired to accelerate and accomplish the mega project launched under China Pakistan Economic Corridor for greater economic prosperity of the Pakistani nation.

China wanted to further increase the bilateral cooperation in other sectors like health, sports, academic, scientific knowledge etc and exchanges of cultural and academic delegations, he added.

He said China believed in the beauty of performance upon which permanent friendship was based. China always considered Pakistan as a good neighbour and would remain its friend and brother. The visiting dignitary was given a very warm welcome by the audience.

The school children dressed in national attire and carrying national flags cheered loudly during the speech of the Chinese vice premier. Later, addressing the participants of the Air Show organised by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in connection with 70th Independence Day celebrations of the country, President Mamnoon Hussain said that the undeterred resolve of its people and security forces had brought Pakistan closer to success which would beget stability and prosperity, not only in the country but the whole region.

The president said the whole Pakistani nation was united as a strong force for country's defence. Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, and Defence Minister Khurram Dastgir also attended the show besides a huge public gathering at Fatima Jinnah Park.

The president greeted the whole nation, the brave soldiers of armed forces, particularly the Pakistan Air Force on the Independence Day. The president viewed that after facing defeat in its tactics of foreign aggression, the enemy started sponsoring terrorist activities in different parts of the country.

In this war too, Pakistani nation made the enemy bite the dust by sacrificing a lot along with the country's security forces. He urged all sections of the society to forge unity to achieve economic, defence, political and democratic stability so that no force could impede the attainment of the national objectives.

The president said the secret behind nation's defence and economic prosperity lay in the national unity otherwise in case of any disruption, all of the dreams would remain unfulfilled. He said the Independence Day reminded the nation the historic struggle and sacrifices and resolve to sacrifice anything for protecting the homeland.

He highly lauded the skillful and highly professional display of aerobatics by the pilots. He said the most prominent feature of the air show was the air display of JF-17 Thunder which was the masterpiece of Pak-China friendship and manifestation of PAF's efforts towards achieving self-dependence in field of defence.

Lauding the PAF for serving remarkably for country's defence, the president hoped the force would keep up the spirit. President Mamnoon said for being a haven for the Muslims of the Sub-Continent, Pakistan had always been pinching the enemies that was why the wars were imposed on the country repeatedly.

However, the brave people and the security forces of the country fought back the enemy proving that neither internal nor external threats could deter their resolve, he added.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of Air Staff Sohail Aman said the long journey of the Pakistan Air Force, that began from very humble beginning and was today able to manufacture its own aircraft, besides undertaking several new innovations.

He said the participation of air forces of Saudi Arabia and Turkey on the joyous occasion of Pakistan's 70th independence showed their close brotherly ties. He said the Pakistani nation had a great potential in all spheres of life. 

He said Pakistan had rendered numerous sacrifices in the fight against terrorism and mentioned the almost 6,500 martyrs of the armed forces and an equal number of those who became handicap.

He lauded the sacrifices of the police and other civilian law enforcing agencies and said these would not go waste. Meanwhile, the largest air show in Islamabad and Karachi organised by Pakistan Air Force (PAF) were hallmark of 70th Independence Day celebrations held across the country.

The first air show was held at Fatima Jinnah Park, Islamabad where President Mamnoon Hussain was the chief guest. Defence Minister Khurram Dastagir and Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, also witnessed the magnificent event.

Ambassadors of friendly countries, former air chiefs and high ranking civil and military officers were also present on the occasion. PAF fighter and training aircraft including Mirage, SAAB-2000, and Augusta-139; while, MI-17 and Puma helicopters from Army Aviation participated in the show.

The show was witnessed by thousands of people of all ages inside the packed park and many had to witness the show outside on the roads. Besides PAF aircraft, world renowned aerobatic teams from brotherly countries, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, also performed in this mega event. The huge crowd gathered in the lush green F-9 Park was ecstatic to see “Solo Turk” flying overhead with a thundering sound.

The stunning maneuvers of this world famous aerobatics team of Turkish Air Force left the spectators spell bound. The next event was a spectacular aerobatics display of “Saudi Hawks”, 07 ship formation aerobatics team of Royal Saudi Air Force.

The blue skies of Islamabad were filled with colours as this acclaimed aerobatic team displayed eye catching drills. The spectators thoroughly enjoyed the breathtaking maneuvers of these aircraft and showed their appreciation by clapping and chanting slogans.

After the thrilling performance of Saudi Hawks, the indigenously manufactured JF-17 Thunder aircraft entered the arena. The spectators cheered with joy to see the spectacular maneuvers of this aircraft, rightfully called the pride of the nation. Moments after the departure of the roaring JF-17 Thunder, Augusta helicopters appeared on the horizon for solo aerobatics display.

The show was rounded off with the tri-services free fall display in which the commandos from the Special Services Wings jumped from a C-130 aircraft flying at height of 10,000 feet and safely landed at the designated places.

Another air show was held at Sea View Karachi in which Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was the chief guest. Different aircraft including F-16, P-3C Orion, Z-9, Alouette-III and Sea King helicopters presented the flying past at the venue. Afterwards JF-17 Thunder and PAF aerobatics team Sherdil presented a mesmerising aerial display.

Meanwhile, Azadi parade was held at Bughti Stadium, Quetta to mark 70th Independence Day. Chief Guest of the ceremony was Balochistan Governor Muhammad Khan Achakzai who along with Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Khan Zehri and Commander Southern Command Lt General Amir Riaz, hoisted the national flag on the occasion, said a press release of ISPR.

A smartly turned-out contingent of Pakistan Army presented salam to the national flag, whereas renowned artists presented milli naghmas. The ceremony was also attended by provincial ministers, members of the assembly, high-ranked civil and military officials.

Speaking in the ceremony, Commander Southern Command Generak Amir Riaz said that the situation had changed a lot in Balochistan and the Independence Day was being celebrated with full enthusiasm and national fervour throughout the province. He said there was no part of Balochistan where the slogan ‘Long Live Pakistan’ was not heard.