Pakistan Day: President Alvi, PM Imran urge nation to show unity in fight against COVID-19

The Pakistani nation has the capability to face any ordeal, says PM Imran

President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan urged the nation to show utmost unity, discipline and passion in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic sweeping across the country and the globe.

Pakistan's tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases crossed 800 on Monday and five people were reported to have died from the disease.

The prime minister and the president, in their separate messages on Pakistan Day, also paid homage to the founding leaders of the country, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal and other members of the freedom movement who paved the way for the creation of the country.

Both also reiterated Pakistan’s support to the people of Indian-Occupied Kashmir (IOK), which has been under lockdown for more than 200 days.



PM Imran urged people not to panic and take precautionary measures to fight the deadly contagion.

"The Pakistani nation has the capability to face any ordeal and God willing, we will stand victorious in this test,” the premier said.

President Alvi in his message said nations have to go through difficult times but “only with unity they sail through”.

“We Pakistanis also need to stand united to fight this pandemic. It is the responsibility of all segments of society, including Ulema, media and political leaders to play their due role in educating the masses about the preventive measures against the virus,” the president said.

The premier added that doctors and health workers are the first line of defence in this crisis and the nation salutes them for their unrelenting and selfless endeavours.

“We also laud our Law Enforcement Agencies for their untiring services. I pray to Allah Almighty to grant us the strength to overcome the challenges,” he said.

“Let us express our firm resolve to continue the legacy and heritage bequeathed to us by our founding fathers and by following in their footsteps to make our country a cradle of peace, progress and stability,” the president said while concluding his message.

Pakistan Day is being celebrated today with simplicity in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the country.

All kind of public gatherings, including the military parade, have been cancelled to control the spread of the deadly pathogen.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi also urged the whole nation to demonstrate unity, faith and discipline to successfully defeat the pandemic.

"We should also not forget our eight million brothers and sisters besieged by the Indian occupation forces in Occupied Jammu and Kashmir," FM Qureshi said in his message on Pakistan Day.

The foreign minister added that the people of the besieged territory are suffering unimaginable adversity for raising the slogan of independence.

"Pakistan will continue to stand by its Kashmiri brethren till they achieve their right to self-determination," he added.

Message by FM @SMQureshiPTI on the Occasion of #PakistanDay2020 (23 March 2020). pic.twitter.com/SXSC1fsjF6

— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 23, 2020

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan said that the decision to make a state for Muslims by our forefathers was a "timely and accurate one".

"Attitude of Modi's government has proved that a separate state for Muslims was necessary," K-P CM said.

"We will continue to provide moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris as a nation."

CM Khan, while paying tribute to the medical staff who are at the forefront in the fight against the deadly pandemic, said that this is a time of trial for the whole country and "we would be triumphant against it".



K-P Governor Shah Farman said that seeing the gross human rights violations in India, "we should thank God that we are living in a separate state".

"Our enemies are conspiring to divide us on language, race, colour and sect," Governor Farman said.

"The enemy can never divide because we as Muslims and Pakistanis are one nation."

He also said that Pakistan has gone through difficult times before and would "come through in the fight against the deadly pandemic".

K-P Health Minister Taimur Khan Jhagra tweeted and said "80 years ago, we showed the will to create a nation. Today, let's show the will to protect it".

80 years ago, we showed the will to create a nation. Today, let's show the will to protect it.#PakistanUnitedAgainstCorona #PakistanDay2020 pic.twitter.com/hqH4a8pLUt

— Taimur Saleem Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) March 23, 2020

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said the Pakistan Resolution provides us with basic guiding principles and adhering to them can take the nation to the heights of equality, peace and prosperity.

The PPP leader said that Pakistan Day is being celebrated when the whole world is going through a difficult time.

"Coronavirus is a test for us," Bilawal said. " We have to show some resolve and work in the same manner as our elders did on March 23 1940. All institutions should unite in the fight against the virus and eliminate it permanently."

Law Minister Dr Farogh Naseem said the foundation of "our beautiful country was laid on this day and we have to pledge that we will keep Pakistan safe from all internal and external threats".

Talking about coronavirus, the law minister said that the country can overcome this pandemic exercising social distancing.



"We have to take care of everyone around us who cannot take care of themselves or their children," he said. "I hope that, as usual, we will get out of this difficult situation by the grace of Allah."

Due to the growing pandemic, Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar in a tweet urged the nation to celebrate Pakistan Resolution Day in a 'unique way' by staying at home.

"Let us stay [at] home and protect ourselves, our loved ones and the nation," Punjab CM said.

On this Pakistan Resolution Day, let us resolve to show our unity in a unique way... Let us stay home and protect ourselves, our loved ones and the nation!!

Our solidarity is essential to combat COVID-19. #PakistanDay2020#OneNationOneDestiny

— Usman Buzdar (@UsmanAKBuzdar) March 23, 2020