Gilani urges national cohesion and respect for Constitution on Independence Day
ISLAMABAD: Chairman Senate Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani on Friday said August 14 was not just a date on the calendar but a symbol of faith, freedom, sovereignty, democracy and national resolve, recalling the historic struggle and immense sacrifices that led to the creation of Pakistan under the visionary leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Addressing the National Independence Day Ceremony at the Convention Centre in Islamabad, the Chairman Senate felicitated the nation and paid rich tribute to the Founding Fathers, leaders and workers of the Pakistan Movement, as well as the millions who faced displacement and rendered sacrifices for the establishment of Pakistan.
He also paid homage to the martyrs of the Armed Forces and law-enforcement agencies, acknowledging their sacrifices for the defence, security, peace and sovereignty of the country. He said the Armed Forces had stood with the nation in every difficult hour and rendered exemplary services in defending the frontiers, fighting terrorism, maintaining internal security and responding to natural calamities.
Paying tribute to the country’s civil and military leadership, Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Pakistan was advancing its national interests and strengthening its position as a responsible member of the international community.
He termed the Makkah Defence Agreement an important diplomatic and strategic development, saying it had opened new avenues for regional cooperation, mutual trust and collective security.
The Chairman Senate said Pakistan was confronted with complex challenges, including economic pressures, unemployment, energy and water scarcity, climate change, terrorism, healthcare, education and institutional reform. He stressed that national unity, constitutionalism, rule of law, merit, justice and strong institutions were vital for overcoming these challenges and ensuring sustainable national progress.
He said Pakistan’s future was linked to investment in human capital, education, healthcare, agriculture, industry, exports, small and medium enterprises, technology and the digital economy. He particularly underlined the need to equip the youth with quality education and modern skills so that they could become innovators, entrepreneurs and job creators.
Gilani said the strength of Pakistan rested in the equal dignity and participation of all citizens, including religious minorities, farmers, labourers, women and other segments of society. He said their contribution to national development must be recognised, protected and strengthened.
Describing Pakistan’s diversity as a source of strength, he said Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were integral parts of the national fabric. Their languages, cultures and traditions, he added, should become a source of unity and collective strength.
On foreign policy, the Chairman Senate reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to peaceful, respectful and mutually beneficial relations with all countries, especially its neighbours. He reaffirmed Pakistan’s continued moral, political and diplomatic support for the right to self-determination of the people of Kashmir and for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to an independent and sovereign state.
Calling upon the nation to renew its collective pledge, Gilani said national interests must be placed above personal and political differences, while the Constitution, democratic institutions and rule of law must remain the foundations of the State. He said Pakistan had overcome many challenges in the past through courage, resilience and unity and could do so again with the same national spirit.
He emphasised that Quaid-e-Azam’s motto of Faith, Unity and Discipline should be transformed from national ideals into a practical guiding force for Pakistan’s future.
Earlier, the Chairman Senate attended the Independence Day flag-hoisting ceremony at Pakistan Monument, Islamabad, and hoisted the national flag. He paid tribute to the Founding Fathers, leaders of the Pakistan Movement and martyrs of the independence struggle, reaffirming his commitment to Pakistan’s progress, prosperity, peace and stability.
