ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has wished fellow countrymen on the auspicious occasion of the 74th Independence Day of Pakistan.
In his message on the occasion, the president said that we must pledge to follow the ideals of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and work for the unity and prosperity of Pakistan.
The president said the day reminds us to pay rich tribute to the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and leaders and workers of the Pakistan Movement who created a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent.
During this 74 years journey, the president said Pakistan faced many challenges but it successfully overcame them with hard work, sacrifices and the support of the entire nation.
He said Pakistanis are a brilliant and brave nation, that has made tremendous successes in various fields making the country distinguished from other nations.
President Alvi said the world must appreciate the fact that Pakistan singularly fought a long-drawn war against terrorism and eventually defeated the menace.
“Similarly, the development of nuclear deterrence by Pakistan is a great achievement that has made the country’s defence impregnable. Not to forget that Pakistan is a host to millions of Afghan refugees for many decades,” he said.
President Alvi said Pakistan also won laurels worldwide for successfully handling the Covid-19 pandemic. He paid homage to doctors and paramedics, religious leaders, media, National Command and Operation Centre, security forces and the entire nation whose cooperation made it possible to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
President Alvi said the country has significantly improved all macro-economic indicators which are now positively impacting the lives of the masses.
He acknowledged that despite these achievements, Pakistan is still facing many challenges on social and economic fronts, such as increasing population, lack of health and education facilities, stunted growth, malnutrition and various other diseases.
On Independence Day, the president reaffirmed commitment to continue the moral, political and diplomatic support to the cause of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
He assured the Kashmiris that Pakistan would continue to stand by them till the achievement of their right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Security Council’s resolutions.
He urged the international community to play its role to compel India to stop committing human rights abuses against the innocent Muslims of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and fulfil its commitment to grant Kashmiris their right to self-determination.
