Independence Day Celebrations at Pakistan High
Commission
To celebrate the 61st Independence Day of Pakistan a
graceful flag hoisting ceremony took place at the Pakistan High Commission in London in which community
participated in large number with full fervour and enthusiasm.
The High Commissioner Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan raised the
flag while national anthem was played, filling the atmosphere with national
spirit.
In his address to a very large gathering, the High
Commissioner highlighted the need for upholding, democratic values, tolerance
and rule of law. He said that “Pakistan
is a unique country in the comity of nations. Unlike other nations who waged
long armed struggles to free themselves from foreign yokes, Pakistan got
its freedom through ballot under the leadership of its founder Quaid-i-Azam
Mohammad Ali Jinnah. And that perhaps was a singular reason that it was
predestined to be a liberal, secular, modern democracy – a role model for rest
of the Islamic world”.
He further said that if we would not revert back to Mr.
Jinnah’s vision of liberal and progressive Pakistan, our future will remain
uncertain and life would continue to remain hostage to terrorism and farces of
extremism.
Mr. Wajid Shamsul Hasan paid rich tribute to former Prime
Ministers Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed for
their contribution in strengthening the democracy in Pakistan by sacrificing their lives
against the forces of dictatorship. Referring to the new dawn of democracy the
High Commissioner said there is a national consensus that there should not be
any compromise on the supremacy of the Parliament, rule of law, independence of
judiciary and media. Allah willing, the people and their leaders will not fail Pakistan and it
would soon become a proud nation as envisaged by the Quaid, Allama Iqbal,
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto.
A special feature
of this year’s Independence Day Celebrations was presentation of Zaki Yamani
Award by Iqbal Academy U.K. to Bishop Michael Nazir Ali
for his research on Iqbal and to grandson of Professor Thomas Arnold the
illustrious mentor of Allama Iqbal.
On the occasion children enthralled the audience with
popular national songs including “Dil Dil Pakistan, Jan Jan Pakistan”.
The messages of President and Prime Minister of Pakistan
were also read at the occasion.
The message of President Pervez Musharraf focussed on the
security issues of Pakistan
by stating that” Pakistan
is passing through a difficult phase of its history. In the prevailing
geo-political and economic situation our adversaries are trying to destabilize Pakistan from
several fronts, internal as well as external. Preservation of our freedom and
defence of the country are amongst our foremost obligations”. He further
emphasized the need of tolerance and eradication of evils of terrorism and
extremism.
The message of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani
emphasized the need of internal unity, as it read “in the prevailing
environment, internal unity is far more important than ever before in the
entire history of Pakistan”.
The message also underlined the resolve of present government for bringing
relief to common man” we in the government, Pakistan Peoples’ Party and the coalition partners are
committed to bringing relief to the
common man, steer out of the current
political, economic situation and make Pakistan a developed, progressive and
self reliant democratic Islamic welfare state” the message envisaged.
August 14, 2008
