Today is a day of aspirations, a day of fulfilled dreams, a day of delivery; it is a day when history was made — a day when independence was finally grasped.
Among those unforgettable chapters of the indescribable magnitude of sacrifice, emerges Aug. 14 as the milestone in the history of Pakistan. This day bore the propitious fruit of freedom with the sweat and blood of our forefathers for the posterity to relish.
Pakistan is not just a political entity spanning over hundreds of thousands of square kilometers; it is a fortress of good hope for the oppressed, a refuge for minorities, a place of salvation for all who call it home.
Quaid-e-Azam said: “You may belong to any religion or caste or creed — that has nothing to do with the business of the state. The creation of the new state has placed a tremendous responsibility on the citizens of Pakistan. It gives them an opportunity to demonstrate to the world how can a nation, containing many elements, live in peace and amity and work for the betterment of all its citizens, irrespective of caste and creed.”
Considering today, a day of aspirations, a day of fulfilled dreams, a day of delivery, glad tidings, joyful hope and new life and as a day of accomplishment and liberation, Pakistan International School Jeddah-English Section (PISJ-ES) resolves to inculcate in our students the spirit of patriotism, commitment, dedication, loyalty, and honor.
Having absolute belief in the fact that youth is the real architect of any country, I would like to advise them to devote their genuine attention toward acquiring education. Only then, they will be equipped to face the challenges of the world to pave way for a progressive and prosper Pakistan, which would reflect Iqbal’s dream and Quaid’s vision.
On the joyous occasion of the Independence Day of Pakistan, where I extend my heartfelt felicitation to all Pakistanis across the globe, I take opportunity to express my cordial gratitude to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman for continuing and developing the eternal Pak-Saudi ties not merely on the territorial grounds but also by sharing our oneness as promoters of similar ideologies and religious values to make this world a better place to live.
May Almighty Allah enable us to protect both the countries and guide us to work towards their progress and prosperity! (Ameen)
Let’s get inspiration from our ancestors’ ideologies and pledge to work together. Let’s commit ourselves to the progress and prosperity of our country so that it can get its rightful place in the comity of nations.
I put the pen down for now on Quaid-e-Azam’s aphorism: “Our object should be peace within and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial friendly relations with the world at large.”
•The writer is the principal of the PISJ-ES.
Aug. 14: A day of aspirations
Aug. 14: A day of aspirations
Saudi initiative to host ‘dialogue’ between southern Yemeni factions widely welcomed
- Conference in Saudi capital requested by Rashad Al-Alimi, president of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council
- Kingdom urged all factions to participate “to develop a comprehensive vision” that would fulfill the aspirations of the southern people
RIYADH: The Saudi Foreign Ministry’s move to invite factions in South Yemen to hold a dialogue in Riyadh has been widely welcomed.
A statement by the ministry said the conference in the Saudi capital had been requested by Rashad Al-Alimi, president of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, and the Kingdom urged all factions to participate “to develop a comprehensive vision” that would fulfill the aspirations of the southern people.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit welcomed Al-Alimi’s call to convene a comprehensive conference to discuss just solutions to the southern issue.
He also expressed his appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s swift response to the request and its readiness to host and sponsor the conference with the participation of southern factions.
The situation in southern Yemen, Aboul Gheit said, has “well-known historical dimensions and includes legitimate issues that must be addressed at the negotiating table within a comprehensive Yemeni framework.”
He stressed that attempts to impose a fait accompli did not serve the southern cause but instead caused serious harm by exposing the country to further fragmentation and disintegration.
He reiterated the Arab League’s consistent position, as reflected in its repeated resolutions on the Yemeni crisis, which is based on full commitment to Yemen’s unity and the preservation of its territorial integrity.
Commending the Saudi announcement, Sheikh Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa, the Muslim World League’s secretary-general, said that the step “reflected the Kingdom’s steadfast and sincere approach to supporting the Yemeni people in all their diversity.”
It also highlights the Kingdom’s continued efforts to preserve peace and stability in Yemen by addressing the southern issue through inclusive dialogue among all parties, Al-Issa added.
Meanwhile, Qatar has expressed its appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the inclusive conference to explore fair solutions to the southern issue.
In a statement, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the efforts exerted by the legitimate Yemeni government to support the Yemeni dialogue track and address the southern issue.
The ministry underlined the importance of the constructive participation of all southern stakeholders, prioritizing the interests of the Yemeni people at the anticipated conference in Riyadh.
It emphasized adherence to the outcomes of the national dialogue as the consensual framework and comprehensive mechanism for reaching an inclusive political solution that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people in all their segments and preserves Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
The ministry warned that unilateral declarations and measures taken without consultation and consensus among Yemeni parties, and without engaging in serious and responsible dialogue, could lead to a descent into chaos, harming the interests of the Yemeni people and undermining prospects for reaching a sustainable political settlement.
The ministry reaffirmed Qatar’s full support for all regional and international efforts aimed at advancing the political process, contributing to ending the Yemeni crisis through dialogue and peaceful means.
