Musharraf calls for strengthening integrity

* Jamali says Pakistanis must make country an impregnable fortress

ISLAMABAD: President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali in their messages on the eve of country’s 56th Independence Day asked the nation to be united in strengthening the country’s integrity and solidarity.

General Musharraf in his message said “We achieved our freedom due to unswerving faith in Almighty Allah, discipline in our struggle and unity among our ranks,”. He said, it is imperative that all of us, every Pakistani man, woman and child appreciates that taking our country on the path of progress and safeguarding our independence is equally important, if we are to achieve the mission of our freedom movement.

Therefore, he said, it is our foremost duty to demonstrate firm determination in upholding the unity of the nation and strengthening integrity and solidarity of the country. The President said, on the auspicious occasion of the independence day of Pakistan, I would like to convey my felicitations to all Pakistanis both in the country and abroad.

The creation of Pakistan epitomized the successful culmination of a long and arduous struggle against heavy odds by the Muslims of South Asia under the inspiring and dynamic leadership of our founding father, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he added.

“On the occasion we must also remember the sacrifices being rendered by our brethren, the people of Indian-held Kashmir, who to-date are engaged in their rightful struggle for self-determination against oppression by occupation forces.”

“Let us resolve on this occasion that we will work together for the prosperity, sovereignty and progress of the nation so that we attain the ideals of the father of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. May Allah be with us in our endeavours. Ameen.”

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali in his message has urged the nation for greater and ever greater efforts to build Pakistan as an impregnable fortress of strength, unity, brotherhood, tolerance and democracy.

The prime minister said, as it is, a day we should take our minds to the untold sacrifices rendered by the Muslims of the subcontinent for attainment of a homeland of their own.

Jamali said it is owing to their contribution that today Pakistan finds itself a power, and a nuclear power at that, to be contended with and is poised to play a historic role in ensuring peace and prosperity in this region.

The Prime Minister said, in times of crisis, proud and self-respecting nations temper their national celebrations with reality. As you must know, unprecedented floods have played havoc in many parts of Pakistan. That is why, sensing the mood of the people, I decided that there should be no festivity on August 14 as millions of our countrymen are suffering from the efforts of the deluge, he added.

On this auspicious day, Jamali said, I hope you will keep in mind that I have established Prime Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund and issued an appeal for donations to help the distressed in various parts of the country.

May Allah Almighty bless our efforts to build up Pakistan as a self-confident and self-reliant nation! Ameen.” —APP

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