Naqvi, Maryam, Murad urge unity, collective efforts on Independence Day

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on Friday extended Independence Day greetings to the nation, paying tribute to the sacrifices made for Pakistan and calling for unity and collective efforts for the country’s progress.

The Ministry of Interior wrote on X, “Pakistan Zindabad forever, congratulations to the countrymen on the joys of freedom,” quoting Naqvi. “14 August is a great, memorable, and unforgettable day in our illustrious national history,” Naqvi said. “The foundations of Pakistan include the blood of millions of martyrs; I pay tribute to these immortal sacrifices,” he added.

“I also pay homage to the martyrs who sacrificed their lives in defence of the homeland, in the struggle for peace, and against terrorism,” he said, adding, “Freedom is the fruit of the great struggle and unparalleled sacrifices of our elders."

The nation can never repay the debt owed to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the leaders of the Pakistan Movement until the Day of Judgment and Faith, unity, and discipline — such golden principles — are the greatest guarantee of our strength, identity, and survival,” he added.

Today, our beloved homeland faces internal and external challenges, and to confront them, everyone must unite and for the sake of our beloved homeland, we must set aside personal interests and stand as one solely for Pakistan, Naqvi said.

“This is a debt of the homeland upon all of us, and we must repay this debt by considering it our duty,” Naqvi said. “There is no country in the entire world as beautiful and rich in resources as Pakistan; unfortunately, everyone has forgotten Pakistan and escalated mutual differences instead,” he said.

Naqvi futher added, it is time that, instead of verbal gatherings and expenditures, the entire nation unites, thinks only of Pakistan, and moves forward for Pakistan.The demand of Independence Day is that, learning lessons from the mistakes of the past, we work together for the bright future of our dear homeland.

Punjab CM Maryam also extended Independence Day greetings to the nation and paid tribute to the leaders and all those who sacrificed for the creation, development and defence of Pakistan.

She expressed gratitude for Pakistan and congratulated the nation on the country’s Independence Day. She paid tribute to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Muhammad Iqbal, Fatima Jinnah, other leaders and all those who contributed to the Pakistan Movement.

"Paid tribute to the martyrs and veterans of the struggles for the creation, development and defence of Pakistan and saluted every Pakistani and From achieving freedom to protecting freedom, we salute the brave Pakistan Armed Forces for making the defence of the homeland invincible in Marka-e-Haq,” she added.

She also saluted every soldier deployed to protect the country’s borders and extended Independence Day greetings to teachers, students, workers and labourers.

“On Independence Day, we must fulfil our promise to play our full role in nation-building, and We want to give future generations a better and safer Pakistan,” she added.

She further added that if every individual lights their own lamp, the entire homeland will be illuminated, and sincerity and a sense of responsibility are true patriotism to add to the beauty of our beloved homeland.

For the younger generation, Independence Day is a day to renew the pledge to fulfil our commitment to the future and we want to see pens, books and laptops in the hands of our youth, she said.

“A student studying with dedication, a teacher teaching with commitment, a doctor showing compassion and a trader demonstrating honesty are all forms of true patriotism,” she said. “The Pakistani nation is the best nation in the world and Pakistan is the best country in the world,” she said.

“I believe real development for every individual is one in which no one is left behind and We are lighting lamps of hope and turning dreams into reality through hard work day and night,” she concluded.

Sindh CM Murad also extended Independence Day greetings to all Pakistanis. “On this Independence Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Pakistanis. May our country continue to progress in peace, unity and prosperity,” Shah wrote on X.

“Let us all strive to build a stronger, inclusive and prosperous Pakistan for our future generations,” he said. “Pakistan Zindabad!” he added.

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, in his Independence Day message, said Pakistan was created on Aug 14, 1947, based on the Two-Nation Theory and was the result of Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s philosophy and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s leadership.

“Pakistan came into being, but we could not benefit from its blessing,” he said.

He said the ideology and purpose for which Pakistan had been created had not been fulfilled, adding that although the British had left, “their mental slaves” had taken control of the country.

Naeem said the same system from which millions had sacrificed their lives to gain freedom was still in place, while feudal lords, landlords, dictators and the bureaucracy had kept Pakistan away from its true destination.

“The common man is wandering from pillar to post for justice, fairness and his rights,” he said, adding that rulers had made the lives of people difficult and their rights were being usurped.

He said the principles of “Faith, Unity and Discipline” were essential for the country’s strength and survival, and called on the nation to work towards fulfilling the objectives of Pakistan’s creation.

“The implementation of the system of the Quran and Sunnah is Pakistan’s true destination,” he said.

Naeem said JI was engaged in the struggle to achieve the original objectives for which Pakistan was created.

PPP parliamentarian Shazia Marri also congratulated the nation on the 79th Independence Day. “August 14 reminds us of the great struggle for freedom and national resolve,” she added.

“In accordance with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision, Pakistan must be made democratic, prosperous and strong,” she said. “Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto waged a historic struggle for democracy and the rights of the people,” she added.

“The People’s Party has always struggled for the protection of the Constitution, democracy, federalism and the rights of the people,” she said. “Today, we must set aside our differences and promote national unity and solidarity,” she added.

“For the development and prosperity of Pakistan, all segments of society must unite and play their role,” Marri said. “On Independence Day, we pay tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs and national heroes,” she added.

“We salute our elders who struggled for the creation of Pakistan. Millions of people made great sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan,” she further said. “The blessing of freedom is the fruit of the eternal sacrifices and struggle of our elders,” Marri stated, adding, “We pay tribute to all the leaders, workers and those who made sacrifices in the Pakistan Movement."

“The sacrifices of the martyrs and ghazis of the freedom movement are a guiding light for us. It is our responsibility to educate the new generation about the history of Pakistan’s creation and the sacrifices of our elders. May Pakistan achieve new heights of peace, development, prosperity and stability,” she concluded.

Pakistan celebrated its 79th Independence Day with national zeal and fervour on Friday, as President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu paid tribute to the sacrifices of the country’s founders, martyrs and veterans, while calling for national unity, peace, economic progress and a stronger, more prosperous Pakistan.

The day began with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes at provincial headquarters, while special prayers were offered for the peace, solidarity and prosperity of the country, Radio Pakistan reported.

Flag-hoisting ceremonies were held across the country, while buildings, streets and public places were decorated with national flags, buntings and colourful lights. The Change of Guard ceremony was also held at the Mazar-e-Quaid in Karachi.