By Uzma Zafar
ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi has underscored the need of following Allama Iqbal’s teachings on Islam and his philosophy of “Khudi” that believed in the promotion of self-respect and human dignity, to make Pakistan a prosperous nation.
In a message on the occasion of birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal being celebrated on Monday, the president said, “It is a high time to stand united, set aside our differences and work committedly for the socio-economic uplift of the country. Let us pledge on this day to work for the unity of Muslim Ummah, and progress and prosperity of the country.”
The president further said Allama Iqbal’s philosophy of “Khudi” could take them to the heights of development.“Our countrymen, particularly the younger generation, need to follow his path and ideals that would greatly help Muslim Ummah in overcoming the modern day’s challenges,” he opined.
Paying rich homage to the great Muslim philosopher and Poet of the East, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, on his birth anniversary, the president said that he was a great benefactor of the Muslims of sub-continent, who envisioned the idea of a separate homeland for them and later his dream was translated into reality.
He was a great thinker who imbibed in Muslims the spirit of unity, through his writings and poetry, that greatly helped them to achieve a separate homeland, the president added.
“Allama Iqbal has rendered great services for the promotion of Muslim cause by infusing a revolutionary spirit in them and playing a prominent role in the renaissance of Muslim society in sub-continent,” he said.
Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi Monday approved the appointment of Dr Muhammad Idris as new Pakistan Science Foundation chairman, a brief statement issued by the President’s Media Wing here said.
Earlier, The ambassadors of China, Afghanistan, Indonesia and the High Commissioners of Bangladesh and Maldives presented their credentials to President Dr. Arif Alvi at a ceremony held here at Aiwan-e-Sadr on Tuesday.
The president congratulated the newly-appointed envoys and expressed the hope that bilateral relations of their respective countries with Pakistan would further expand in the areas of economy, culture, trade and investment.
Ambassador of China Nong Rong, Ambassador of Afghanistan Najibullah Alikhil, Ambassador of Indonesia Adam Mulawarman Tugio, High Commissioner of Bangladesh Ruhul Alam Siddique and High Commissioner of Maldives Farzana Zahir, presented their credentials to the president.
Later, the envoys made separate calls on the president.
While talking to the Ambassadors/High Commissioners, the president said that Pakistan wanted to further strengthen and enhance economic, trade and political relations with friendly countries.
The president briefed the envoys about the steps taken by Pakistan to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. He said that the pandemic was the greatest challenge and the global community needed to make collective efforts to contain the disease.
He also highlighted the gross human rights violations being committed by the Indian security forces against the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
He said India had transformed the entire valley into world’s largest open-air prison and urged upon the international community to take note of atrocities being perpetrated by the Indian security forces against Muslims and other minority groups.
