Rana Mashhood celebrates Independence Day with Danish school students

ISLAMABAD, Aug 14 (APP): Chairman Prime Minister Youth Programme Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan celebrated Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day with Daanish School students in Islamabad on Friday, calling them the torchbearers of the country’s future and urging them to turn the privilege of education into a lifelong mission of excellence, national service and unity.

Addressing the students at the Independence Day ceremony, Rana Mashhood said youth empowerment is aimed at breaking barriers of privilege and opening the doors of opportunity for talented children from every corner of Pakistan.

He said Daanish School students had earned their place through a merit based selection process from across the country, describing the initiative as a decisive move away from the culture of influence and personal connections.

“We have ended the culture of invitation,” he said, stressing that talent, rather than privilege, should determine a child’s opportunity to succeed.

Rana Mashhood said children from less privileged backgrounds possessed extraordinary potential and, when given quality education and a level playing field, could surpass even those who enjoyed greater opportunities.

Citing the recent achievement of a Danish School student who secured second position across Punjab in board examinations, he said the success is a powerful testament to the ability and resilience of Pakistan’s young generation.

He said students from Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Waziristan, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan and other regions are a living embodiment of Pakistan’s diversity and national strength.

Referring to the sacrifices made by the people of these regions for Pakistan, Rana Mashhood said the country is built through the blood, courage and determination of its elders and must never be allowed to be weakened by hatred or division.

He invoked the vision of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, saying the creation of Pakistan had transcended provincial and ethnic identities.

“There is no Sindhi, Balochi, Pathan, Punjabi or Kashmiri today; under this green flag, there is Pakistan,” he said.

Rana Mashhood warned that attempts to undermine Pakistan through hatred, division and disinformation could be as dangerous as conventional threats, urging the younger generation to become guardians of national unity and cohesion.

He said Pakistan had repeatedly demonstrated its resolve and capacity to defend its sovereignty and had once again shown its strength during the recent confrontation with India.

He added that while direct aggression might be deterred, efforts to destabilise Pakistan through conspiracies could continue, making an educated, confident and united youth the country’s strongest shield.

Rana Mashhood said Pakistan would continue to raise its voice for the oppressed people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir and Palestine, while playing a constructive role in regional peace and diplomacy.

Turning to the students’ responsibilities, he urged them to remain steadfast in their studies, respect their teachers and parents and make the fullest use of the opportunities available to them.

He also asked successful students to become catalysts for others rather than allowing achievement to create distance from those still struggling.

“When you reach somewhere, hold the hand of someone coming from below,” he said.

Drawing inspiration from Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Rana Mashhood urged the students to become sources of light for others and contribute to building a brighter Pakistan.

“You have to become a candle and light another candle from your own flame,” he said.

The ceremony culminated in an energetic display of national spirit as Rana Mashhood joined the students in chanting “Pakistan Zindabad”, turning the Independence Day celebration into a pledge of unity, ambition and service to the country.