I feel honored to greet the nation on the occasion of Pakistan Day, which is a truly historic milestone in our nation’s quest for independence.

For it was on this day that the Muslims of South Asia resolved to carve out an independent homeland for themselves; a land where they could live in peace and harmony in accordance with the tenets of Islam, free from repression and subjugation.

It was the unanimous will of the Muslims of South Asia under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that resulted in the creation of Pakistan.

From that momentous day in 1940, our nation has come a long way. Having attained independence on Aug. 14, 1947 against seemingly insurmountable odds, our country has been confronted with many challenges both external and internal in the post independence period.

The problems have indeed been many and complex. It most certainly goes to the credit of the Pakistani nation that they have always risen to the occasion and successfully overcome adversity by demonstrating patriotism, steadfastness, resilience and unswerving faith in Almighty Allah.

We are, indeed, at the crossroads of historic changes and civilizational challenges that call for greater demonstration of national unity, inter-faith harmony and immaculate self-discipline. We have come a long way, but there is much more to be covered.

The choice therefore is very clear. The vast majority of Pakistanis are hardworking, patriotic and moderate, who wish to see our country progress and attain its rightful place in the comity of nations. They need to stand up and be counted.

There is a need greater than ever before to demonstrate unity, faith and discipline; the guiding principles given to us by the Quaid-e-Azam. We have the solution; we have the determination and we will not fail. I have complete confidence in the wisdom of our great people and faith in their will to work toward our objective.

May Allah Almighty Be our Protector and Guide. Ameen!

Pervez Musharraf

President of Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Today the nation is celebrating the 68th anniversary of the passing of the historical Pakistan Resolution. On this day, the Muslims of the subcontinent vowed to create an independent homeland, where they could live in accordance with their religious, cultural and intellectual inspirations.

This day reminds us of the exciting and momentous times when our forefathers rallied around the dynamic personality of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and under his inspiring leadership resolved to carve out for themselves an independent sovereign country. The people of Pakistan can never forget the debt they owe to their great leader, who almost single-handedly guided them toward a very tough goal.

Under the dynamic leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam and the banner of Muslim League, the Muslims of the subcontinent were neither overawed by the might of the Raj nor depressed by the non-Muslim majority — the two forces that were vehemently opposed to the very idea of Pakistan. The Muslims succeeded in achieving their goal because they were united behind their leader and fought for Pakistan with indomitable unity in their ranks, unwavering faith in their mission and exemplary discipline in their actions.

Let me remind all my countrymen that in the present environment it is all the more imperative for us to place national unity and integrity above everything else. If we want to build a prosperous and stable future for ourselves, we will have to shed petty differences and controversies, and subordinate our personal and parochial wishes to the higher values of life that unity, faith and discipline demand from us, and always keep in mind these three words — left in legacy by the Father of the Nation — can still serve as a beacon light for us all.

May Allah bless us with the wisdom and the ability to follow the Quaid’s motto in letter and spirit and grant us the strength to live up to its noble implications.

Ameen!

Muhammadmian Soomro

Caretaker Prime Minister of Pakistan

On the happy occasion of the National Day of Pakistan, I felicitate all Pakistanis living in the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

March 23 reminds us of the heroic and historic struggle of Muslims of the subcontinent for a separate homeland and also the unprecedented sacrifices of our forefathers in achieving this cherished goal.

In the present internal and external milieu, it is all the more imperative for us to place our integrity and national interests above all other considerations. We must further reinforce our faith in Allah Almighty and our inherent intellectual, moral and physical strengths.

The golden principles of unity, faith and discipline enunciated by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah demand patriotism, pursuit of our national goals and other higher values of life.

During the past 60 years, Pakistan with the grace of Allah Almighty, has made remarkable progress in all fields bringing prosperity to the country and its people and we are firmly marching ahead as a democratic, progressive and a moderate Islamic state. Reforms in all sectors have been successfully introduced by the government and are being implemented with a new direction of Enlightened Moderation.

The government of Pakistan is committed to peace and security and wants peaceful coexistence with our neighbors.

Pakistan has always adopted a principled position and through consistent consultations and diplomatic efforts at all levels, stresses for a peaceful settlement of the problems faced by the region.

Pakistan is witnessing a massive upsurge in economic activity these days, unprecedented in our country for several decades.

The confidence of domestic as well as foreign investors is growing on the back of a stable macro economic environment. With buoyancy in economy, the inflow of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Pakistan is continuously rising.

Liberalization of economy, deregulation measures, improvement in macro-economic framework, continuity in economic policies, numerous incentives and, above all, a level playing field for both foreign and domestic investors has created an enabling and investment-friendly environment, making Pakistan an attractive destination for profitable investment.

The recently held general elections in Pakistan must be viewed as an important milestone in the nation’s history.

The free, fair and transparent conduct of the electoral process was widely acknowledged by international observers as well as print and electronic media. The transition in accordance with the mandate provided by the people of Pakistan has, thus far, been swift and smooth.

The new Assembly has been convened and the process of government formation is expected to be completed in a few days time.

We are confident that a successful completion of the electoral process would strengthen the democratic tradition in Pakistan and the new government will take the country further on the road to progress and prosperity. Pakistan and Saudi Arabia are old and time-tested friends. The friendship has been constantly growing over six decades and has withstood all the vicissitudes in regional and international environment.

The people of Pakistan hold Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan and the holy land of Saudi Arabia in the highest esteem.

Similarly, our leadership is also well respected in Saudi Arabia and they often consult each other on issues of importance and mutual interest.

It is highly gratifying that the leaders of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always been fully alive to the Islamic injunctions that bind them as well as the peoples of the two countries in cordial and brotherly relations.

The existing profound understanding between the leaders and peoples of the two brotherly states has always been a basis for promoting meaningful and fruitful cooperation in all fields.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have strong relationship and both are working to establish a true economic partnership for development and prosperity of our people. The leaders of the two countries in their bilateral meetings during the past two years reaffirmed their keen resolve not only to continue with but also further strengthen bilateral cooperation and mutual trust in all fields, with special emphasis on the issues facing the Ummah.

On this happy occasion, I call upon all Pakistanis living in the Kingdom to work hard with a sense of devotion for the progress and prosperity of this holy land and I also impress upon them to remember their commitment to Pakistan and actively participate in its development too.

Long live Pakistan.

Long live Pak-Saudi friendship.

Adm. S. Karimullah (Retd.)

Ambassador of Pakistan

I wish to extend my sincere felicitations to my fellow Pakistanis on the auspicious occasion of Pakistan National Day.

2. It was on March 23, 1940, when the Muslims of the subcontinent through a resolution expressed their will to form a separate homeland where they could live freely in accordance with their faith. Pakistan emerged as the largest independent Muslim Country on the map of the world within a short span of seven years under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam.

3. March 23 not only refreshes our memories of the heroic struggle of the Muslims of the subcontinent but also reminds us of the sacrifices made by our forefathers for the creation of our beloved country.

4. Pakistan is today a country rapidly moving on the path of progress with the growth rate of about six percent per annum. The country stands firm with sincerity among the comity of nations and has assumed a key role in the Muslim Ummah. Pakistanis have also demonstrated on different fora the courage, fortitude and resolve to meet all the challenges of our time.

5. Pakistan as a peace loving country has taken a number of initiatives to amicably solve all disputes including Kashmir. The world community is realizing that a just and peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute in line with the UN resolutions guaranteeing the right to self-determination to the Kashmiris is extremely important for the cause of peace and prosperity of the region.

6. I wish to request my fellow countrymen in the Kingdom to work hard and strengthen the brotherly relations with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is one of the time-tested friend of our beloved country.

7. Let us resolve that we would keep the interests of our country high and foremost and work together for making Pakistan a dynamic, prosperous, tolerant and true Islamic state.

Zaigham Uddin Azam

Consul General of Pakistan