ISLAMABAD, Aug 14 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain
Monday urged the nation to bury their 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 castaway despondency with
determination to achieve their national objectives.
Speaking at a ceremony held at the Jinnah Convention
Center to mark 70th Independence Day, the president said
today, they were hoisting the national flag to pay tributes to
the historic struggle of the leaders of Independence Movement.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi,
Chinese Vice premier Wang Yang, Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz
Sadiq, Chairman Senate Raza Rabbani, Chairman Joint Chief of Staff Committee (CJCSC) General Zubair Mahmood Hayat, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of the Air Staff Air 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.
He said it was the time to retrospect over the long
history of construction, development and stability of
Pakistan.
Amid huge applause by the audience, the president said
certain issues confronted by the country also required review
by all and sundry.
“While we happily hoist the 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 has created
intensity in behaviors, 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 our 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 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 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 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 was
the reason that continuity has 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 our personal
interests, he added.
The president said 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 then
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. 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 respected 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 behaviors and also pave the way for
national development. 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-e-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.
“In this perspective, I want to make it clear that if
sanity did not prevail in the current situation then our dream
of economic revival will not be materialized 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 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.
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.
School children dressed in national attire and carrying
national flags cheered loudly during the speech made by
Chinese vice premier.
