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President and PM call for following Quaid’s vision
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ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain on Tuesday stressed the need for following the path of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and adhering the principle of unity, faith and discipline.
In his message on the birthday of Quaid-i-Azam, the president said, “Commemoration of birth anniversary of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah is an occasion for all of us to rejoice and reaffirm our commitment to those ideals of democracy, egalitarianism, constitutionalism and rule of law that were upheld by our great leader throughout his life.”
The president said the Quaid-i-Azam united the “discordant nation and secured for them a homeland where they could fashion their lives according to their customs and traditions”.
“Our great leader by sheer virtue of his vision, steadfastness and clarity of thought, steered the Muslims of the subcontinent through the most tumultuous times and enabled them withstand heavy odds and to gain independence through a democratic struggle,” he added.
He said, “Quaid’s thought and vision is as relevant to us as it was some six decades ago.”
“The day is also an occasion to pause and ponder and to reflect as to how far we as a nation have been successful in achieving those ideals that motivated our Father of the Nation to struggle for a separate homeland for the Muslims.”
The president said it is indeed heartening to see that the nation has achieved significant milestones in its pursuit of democratic ideals and strengthening of state institutions. “However, the challenges that we confront today call for unwavering commitment and firmly upholding the principles of unity, faith and discipline while confronting these challenges.”
“Today, as we pay our tributes to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, let us reaffirm our commitment to the vision of our great leader and to re-dedicate ourselves to achieve those ideals that were espoused by our forefathers. Let us pledge that we will work, individually as well as collectively, to make Pakistan a peaceful, progressive and prosperous state,” the president said.
Separately, in his message on the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that patriotism, dedicated work and selfless service for the greater glory of the country could be the most befitting tribute to the memory of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
“On this auspicious day, we should pledge and resolve to work whole-heartedly and dedicatedly to build a strong and prosperous Pakistan,” said the prime minister.
He said, “Today we bow down in respect to the great leader of the subcontinent who made history by carving out a new state on the map of the world by the strength of his wisdom, steadfastness, righteousness and statesmanship.”
The prime minister said the great Quaid envisioned Pakistan to be an independent homeland for the Muslims of subcontinent where they could live their lives according to their religious and cultural beliefs.
“He envisioned Pakistan to be country where democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights will hold sway,” said the prime minister, adding that Quaid’s dream of Pakistan was of a country where there would be no discrimination on the basis of caste, creed or religion and where all citizens could enjoy equal rights.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk