President Mamnoon and PM Nawaz hoist the national flag at the Convention Centre. PHOTO: INP
ISLAMABAD: As the country celebrated its 70th Independence Day on Sunday with gusto, President Mamnoon Hussain voiced his resolve that every ‘visible and invisible enemy’ would be chased down and crushed in order to establish durable peace.
The day dawned with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in provincial capitals. The main ceremony was held at the Convention Centre in Islamabad where President Mamnoon, along with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, hoisted the national flag.
Addressing the ceremony, the president said the menace of terrorism would be eliminated from the country by carrying out decisive actions with a renewed determination. “The plot of the enemy needs to be understood and mutual differences should not be provoked.”
Since Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had already dedicated 70th Independence Day to ‘freedom of Kashmir’ from Indian rule, the Kashmir conflict dominated celebrations on Sunday.
Raising the Kashmir issue, the president said Pakistan would continue to support Kashmiris in their struggle for their right to self-determination, asking people that they should not forget the people of Kashmir on Independence Day. “Pakistan cannot forget the Kashmiris on this occasion and will continue supporting them for their just struggle to self-determination in accordance with the UN resolutions.”
Talking about the recent Quetta carnage, President Mamnoon said the incident has aggrieved the entire nation and every Pakistani has sympathies with the bereaved families. “The blood of the martyrs of Quetta will not go to waste — national unity, democracy and strong defence will lead to progress and stability in the country.”
Lauding the gains made by the security forces in the counterterrorism campaign, the president said Operation Zarb-e-Azb, under the National Action Plan, has produced encouraging results, and it would continue until its logical conclusion.
“The armed forces and other law-enforcement agencies are playing an effective role in countering terrorism, as a result of which peace is being restored in the country. The nation is standing by its armed forces in the ongoing war on terror and it pays tribute to their services for the nation.”
He said the government has also adopted sound policies to improve the economy. “A national agenda will have to
be pursued for improving law and order and maintaining economic stability. The government has achieved successes in respect of security, economy and development, and will continue its journey of progress and prosperity.”
The president said Pakistan’s future lies in strong democracy that would ensure progress, prosperity and development of the country.“The words of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah are the pearls of wisdom. Equality, fraternity, provision of basic rights, a society free from religious, ethnic, and racial differences, and an independent foreign policy are the key principles for achieving prominence among the comity of nations.”
Later, Mamnoon Hussain unfurled the national flag to mark the 70th Independence Day. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, cabinet ministers, parliamentarians, services chiefs, foreign diplomats and other senior civilian and military officials attended the ceremony that took place amid tight security.
The president conferred awards on Pakistanis and foreign nationals for showing “excellence and courage in their respective fields”. A total of 132 individuals were awarded. Of them, 49 received Pride of Performance, 26 (Tamgha-i-Imtiaz), 25 (Sitara-i-Imtiaz), eight (Tamgha-i-Shujaat), seven (Tamgha-i-Pakistan), five each received Tamgha-i-Shujaat (posthumous)and Sitara-i-Pakistan, three (Hilal-i-Imtiaz) and one each received Hilal-i-Shujaat, Sitara-i-Shujaat, Sitara-i-Khidmat and Tamgha-i-Khidmat.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in his brief statement, said: “This Independence Day is also memorable due to the fact that nowadays the spirit of independence in Occupied Kashmir is at its peak.”
“In the month of August, when we remember the Quaid, leaders and workers of Pakistan Movement, our hearts are also enlightened with the memory of those martyrs, who have become immortal by sacrificing their lives for the country. He said the nation is united against terrorists.”
With security on high alert, mobile phone service was suspended in about 40 cities. Internet services were also partially suspended. Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held at the provincial capitals and district headquarters, besides other important national institutions.
Meanwhile, all major public and private buildings, roads and avenues throughout the country were decorated with buntings, national flags, portraits of national leaders and banners. Flag hoisting ceremonies were also held in the four provincial capitals with the chief ministers in attendance.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2016.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ