March 23 is a day that signifies a major milestone in our great national history.
On this auspicious occasion, I extend my heart-felt felicitations to the whole nation.
It is on this day, that our elders approved the historic Lahore Resolution, which united the Muslims of the subcontinent on one clear and far greater objective.
On this occasion, we extend our deepest respect and admiration to the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah and the Spiritual Icon of Pakistan, Dr. Allama Mohammed Iqbal and the rest of the freedom movement’s leadership, whose strong resolve and unmatched sacrifices, paved the way for the heroic accomplishment of Pakistan.
This day reminds us that Pakistan came into being as a result of a long, democratic struggle.
It also reminds us that the treasure behind the country’s progress and stability is hidden deep in the values of democracy. It is thus imperative that democratic traditions should be fostered so that tolerance, harmony and patience is nurtured in society, as confronting present-day challenges will be a daunting task in its absence.
Terrorism and the war-like situation that took place in the past few decades, has badly affected the whole region, including Pakistan.
I am happy to note that the whole nation stood together in one spirit and faced this challenge, and as a result, peace and security has revived and the country’s economy is back again on the trajectory to progress. The Pakistan-China Economic Corridor and the numerous developmental projects are glaring evidence in this regard.
Let us today renew the pledge once again, that by following the footsteps of our forefathers, we will work together to make Pakistan a great country in the comity of nations.
I pray that may Allah Al Mighty bless us with the spirit of serving Pakistan with utmost sincerity and entrench Pakistan on the path of progress and prosperity.
Restoration of peace and security brings Pakistan economy back on track: President
Restoration of peace and security brings Pakistan economy back on track: President
Uganda partially restores internet after president wins 7th term
- “The internet shutdown implemented two days before the elections limited access to information, freedom of association, curtailed economic activities ... it also created suspicion and mistrust on the electoral process,” the team said in their report
KAMPALA: Ugandan authorities have partially restored internet services late after 81-year-old President Yoweri Museveni won a seventh term to extend his rule into a fifth decade with a landslide victory rejected by the opposition.
Users reported being able to reconnect to the internet and some internet service providers sent out a message to customers saying the regulator had ordered them to restore services excluding social media.
“We have restored internet so that businesses that rely on internet can resume work,” David Birungi, spokesperson for Airtel Uganda, one of the country’s biggest telecom companies said. He added that the state communications regulator had ordered that social media remain shut down.
The state-run Uganda Communications Commission said it had cut off internet to curb “misinformation, disinformation, electoral fraud and related risks.” The opposition, however, criticized the move saying it was to cement control over the electoral process and guarantee a win for the incumbent.
The electoral body in the East African country on Saturday declared Museveni the winner of Thursday’s poll with 71.6 percent of the vote, while his rival pop star-turned-politician Bobi Wine was credited with 24 percent of the vote.
A joint report from an election observer team from the African Union and other regional blocs criticized the involvement of the military in the election and the authorities’ decision to cut off internet.
“The internet shutdown implemented two days before the elections limited access to information, freedom of association, curtailed economic activities ... it also created suspicion and mistrust on the electoral process,” the team said in their report.
In power since 1986 and currently Africa’s third longest-ruling head of state, Museveni’s latest win means he will have been in power for nearly half a century when his new term ends in 2031.
He is widely thought to be preparing his son, Muhoozi Kainerugaba, to take over from him. Kainerugaba is currently head of the military and has expressed presidential ambitions.
Wine, who was taking on Museveni for a second time, has rejected the results of the latest vote and alleged mass fraud during the election.
Scattered opposition protests broke out late on Saturday after results were announced, according to a witness and police.
In Magere, a suburb in Kampala’s north where Wine lives, a group of youths burned tires and erected barricades in the road prompting police to respond with tear gas.
Police spokesperson Racheal Kawala said the protests had been quashed and that arrests were made but said the number of those detained would be released later.
Wine’s whereabouts were unknown early on Sunday after he said in a post on X he had escaped a raid by the military on his home. People close to him said he remained at an undisclosed location in Uganda. Wine was briefly held under house arrest following the previous election in 2021.
Wine has said hundreds of his supporters were detained during the months leading up to the vote and that others have been tortured.
Government officials have denied those allegations and say those who have been detained have violated the law and will be put through due process.
