ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development and Special Initiatives Professor Ahsan Iqbal on Friday felicitated the nation on the 80th Independence Day of Pakistan, urging the people to renew their commitment to making the country a strong, prosperous, sovereign and developed state.
In his message on the occasion, the minister said Independence Day was a day of “happiness, gratitude, pride and renewal of resolve” and an opportunity to thank Allah Almighty for the country’s achievements.
“We are celebrating Independence Day while expressing gratitude to Allah Almighty for the successes achieved in Marka-e-Haq (the Battle of Truth,” he said.
Ahsan Iqbal said the nation must now protect its freedom while also proving Pakistan’s mettle in the “battle of economy.”
“Today, we have to protect our freedom as well as make Pakistan’s mark in the economic battle,” he said, stressing that the nation must unite to transform Pakistan into a strong and dignified country in the economic arena.
He called for collective efforts for Pakistan’s development, prosperity and economic sovereignty, saying the country could move forward only when the nation remained united around a common objective.
The minister said the 79th Independence anniversary was particularly significant as the nation was not only celebrating the anniversary of Pakistan’s independence but also commemorating the 150th birth anniversaries of the country’s founding father, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
“Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal envisioned an independent and sovereign Pakistan,” he said.
He said Independence Day provided an opportunity to pay tribute to the great struggle, vision and sacrifices of Quaid-i-Azam and Allama Iqbal for the creation of Pakistan.
Ahsan Iqbal stressed the need for making the Quaid’s principles of “Unity, Faith and Discipline” an integral part of national life.
He urged the nation to pledge on the occasion that every possible effort would be made to build Pakistan into a strong, prosperous, sovereign and developed country.
The minister underlined that safeguarding freedom was not confined to defending the country’s geographical borders, but also required achieving excellence in the economic, intellectual, scientific and technological fields.
He said Pakistan’s future depended on collective determination, national unity and sustained efforts to strengthen the country’s economic and knowledge base.
The minister extended his heartfelt felicitations to the entire nation on the Independence Day and called upon all Pakistanis to play their role in building a prosperous and self-reliant Pakistan. –Agencies
