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Independence Day of Pakistan
MESSAGE
ON this auspicious occasion of the 62nd Independence Day I wish to compliment all Pakistanis living within the country and abroad.
Sixty-two years ago, on this day, a separate homeland was created wherein we could live in freedom and shape our lives according to our values. Today therefore is a watershed mark in the history of the country and an occasion for joy and celebrations.
Pakistan was envisaged by its Founding Fathers to be a homeland for the Muslims of South Asia where democracy, constitutionalism and respect of human rights would reign supreme. It was envisaged to be a country where there would be no discrimination on the basis of creed, gender and sect and where minorities would enjoy equal rights as citizens of the state and fully in the mainstream of national life.
As we celebrate the Independence Day today we should also rededicate ourselves to uphold the principles for which Pakistan was created. At the same time we should also pause and ponder whether we have upheld those principles and values which we vow every year to uphold.
While there is much to rejoice and celebrate there also are areas and issues about which we must be concerned.
The mindset that increasingly preaches extremism, violence and militancy in the name of religion and which has been on the rise in the country is a direct negation of the values for which this country was created. This is an area of great concern to all of us. It is a mindset that poses the greatest threat to the security and stability of the country that was founded on this day. The recent burning of the houses and acts of v a n d a 1 i s m against the Christians in Gojra in the month of our independence is only a manifestation of this mindset. Let us therefore resolve to defeat this pernicious mindset that has promoted suicide bombings, beheading innocent people, torturing women and forcibly closing academies of learning.
Countless lives were sacrificed for the achievement of the dream that was Pakistan. The country's first directly elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sacrificed his life for the ideals for which Pakistan was created. Uis daughter and the Muslim world's first woman Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto laid down her life for saving the country from militancy and for the cause of democracy, free and fair elections and emancipation of the poor, downtrodden and dispossessed.
The Pakistan People's Party has a long history of struggle for the achievement of the objectives for which Pakistan was created. Four Bhuttos in two generations have laid down their lives for the country and the nation. Perhaps in no other country of the world can such an example of two successive party heads having sacrificed their lives be found easily.
1 wish to reiterate that the PPP will continue to struggle for the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, Quaid-e-Awam and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for achieving the goal of a federal and democratic polity where rule of law and tolerance reigns supreme and from where militancy has been banished.
On this occasion I also wish to reiterate that the PPP which has given a manifesto of peace and prosperity will pursue the goal of peace with honour and good neighbourly relations with countries in the region. We will endeavour to give hope to the people through roti, kapra and makan and by providing them employment, education, energy and safe environment.
On the eve of this anniversary of our Independence 1 also salute farmers, kissans, mazdoor traders, teachers, doctors, intellectuals, students, women and minorities for their heroic struggle. I urge them all to support the party to restore law and order, end militancy and provide security and dignity to every citizen and open doors for them to knowledge and livelihood.
Let us on this day rededicate ourselves to the principles of democracy and human rights, to banishing dictatorship, militancy and extremism and to provide economic opportunities for all in the country and to peace in the region.
High Commissioner of Pakistan to Bangladesh
MESSAGE
SIXTY-two years ago on 14 August, Pakistan emerged as a sovereign and independent state on the world map. This day in 1947 represented the fruition of a long struggle by the Muslims of the sub-continent under the great leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The people of Pakistan celebrate Independence Day with much fervour and jubilation. They take pride in the great strides that they have made in their march towards the dual goals of progress and prosperity.
Pakistan is a land of many contrasts. We have a rich and diverse heritage. We are home to the great treasures of the Indus and the Gandhara civilizations, traces of which are found in the ruins of Moenjodaro, Kot Diji, and the plains of Punjab and Harappa. Some of the earliest relics of the Stone Age in the subcontinent are found in Pakistan in the Soan Valley of the Potohar region near Rawalpindi. Mehrgarh, one of the most important Neolithic HE 14th August marks the culmination of a long driven struggle the Muslims of subcontinent had launched to protect their
(7000 BC to 3200 BC) sites in archaeology, lies on the Kachi plain of Baluchistan and is one of the earliest sites with evidence of farming (wheat and barley) and herding (cattle, sheep and goats) in South Asia. It was also here that Budhism flourished for over 1000 years, starting from 2nd century B.C., until 10th century A.D. In the Gandhara period, Taxila, Swat and Charsaddah (old Pushkalavati) became three important centers for culture, trade and learning.
Pakistan astrides the traditional trade routes that link West, Central and South Asia. Our country has a total area of 796,095 sq km. From Gwadar Bay in its south-eastern comer, the country extends more than 1,800 km to the Khunjerab Pass on China's border. Located in South Asia. Pakistan shares an eastern border with India and a north-eastern border with China. Iran makes up the country's south-west border, and Afghanistan runs along its western and northern edge. The Arabian Sea is Pakistan's southern boundary with 1,064 km of coastline which is the nearest sea route to Central Asia.
As' d nation, we have achieved many milestones since our independence. That makes us confident with regard to the challenges that lie ahead. For this purpose, we seek a peaceful regional environment and friendly and cooperative relations with all countries of the world.
Pakistan and Bangladesh enjoy a very special relationship. Our two countries are engaged in a broad range of mutually beneficial partnerships in the areas of commerce, health, education and culture.
Bilateral trade and investment have registered a healthy growth. Two-way trade increased by approximately 30% to US S 350 million. Pakistani investments in Bangladesh have crossed US $ 110 million. Other investment proposals are in the pipeline. There have been several exchanges of trade delegations both-ways.
Pakistan takes keen interest in the social sector development of Bangladesh and has provided assistance to the tune of 33 millionTakas for the health and education sectors of Bangladesh since 2005. separate iden-t I t y , to strengthen their society, to flourish their own culture in the broader perspective of (heir religious Ideals and practices and to augment their own vibrant economy. The day reminds us of the gigantic challenges the people of Pakistan had so willingly and wilfully taken up 62 years ago. The nation had rendered unprecedented sacrifices to achieve the goal of political independence and ideological freedom. The day of 14th August marks the realization of Computer Lab Centres have been established in more than 30 educational institutions across the country. Ambulances and specialized medi-cal/surgical equipment have been provided to various hospitals. A computerized Braile centre has been established at the School for Blind Children. Support has also been provided to Army and Naval Welfare Schools for Handicapped Children. A multipurpose "Allama Iqbal” Auditorium is being constructed in Bogra to benefit the local community.
No meaningful development of a society can be achieved without involvement of women. We have taken an initiative to support women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh and to establish close cooperation between the women entrepreneurs of the two countries. Dosti-WETEX is a project of Pakistan High Commission to promote women entrepreneurship in Bangladesh. The event provides a unique platform to women SMEs of Bangladesh and other countries of the region for market orientation, business exposure and networking with each other.
People to people contacts and exchanges are gaining momentum. Pakistan's women cricket team, golf players and national team of shooters participated in sporting events in Bangladesh. The leading rock band from Pakistan Fuzon enthralled a large crowd of young Bangladeshis with their music at a concert in Dhaka. Bangladeshi delegations comprising media representatives, scholars, academics and activ-ists visited Pakistan. Bangladeshi artists have held exhibitions of their works in galleries in Pakistan. The High Commission hosted the First Inter-school Dosti Art Competition in Dhaka in collaboration with the Shilpakala Academy.
These are encouraging trends that continue to strengthen our bilateral relations. We look forward to this growing partnership between our countries for the mutual benefit of our two peoples. As we celebrate our Independence Day, 1 take this opportunity to wish the people of Bangladesh further progress and prosperity in the years ahead. the dream the Poet Philosopher of the East had envisioned for the Muslims of South Asia. The day symbolises the leadership of the great leader, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad All Jinnah, who inspired the nation to achieve what looked an insurmountable task.
This year, the Independence Day celebration is still of greater significance as we have been able to rekindle the light of democracy in Pakistan in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the nation. The process of revival of democracy could not have been successfully
completed without the active participation of the people.
The country and the people are confronting a serious challenge posed by the terrorists and militants. However, it is heartening to note that the entire nation has stood up against these elements and we would Insha Allah defeat their evil designs to make this country secure and peaceful.
The objective of the people’s government is to strengthen the country and to make it prosperous. This is the basis of our different programmes designed for the welfare of common folk of Pakistan. To achieve this objec-
five, we are focussing on address -ing and solving every problem. .
On this day of rejoicing, let t«, pay homage to our leaders of the Independence Movement who struggled with great courage and perseverance to win us a country of our own Because of their sacrifices today, we are enjoying the fruits of freedom. It is surely an occasion for immense gratitude. It is the day for renewing our pledge to the country.
On this happy occasion. I wish to extend my wannest felicitations and best wishes to my Pakistani brothers and sisters at home as well as those living abroad.