Pakistan-Lanka ties being strengthened - Pakistani envoy

COLOMBO: The High Commission of Pakistan and the Pakistani community on Tuesday celebrated 61st Independence Day of Pakistan with traditional fervour and resolve to make Pakistan a strong, dynamic progressive tolerant and democratic Islamic welfare state.

Speaking on the occasion, the High Commissioner Shahzad A. Chaudhry said the Independence Day signifies the contributions and sacrifices of our leaders and forefathers towards establishment of Pakistan.

The creation of Pakistan epitomized the successful culmination of a long, hard, struggle against heavy odds, under the inspiring and dynamic leadership of our founding father Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

He said that Pakistan’s relations with Sri Lanka have remained cordial and cooperative throughout. The trade and business communities of both nations, therefore have a crucial role to enhance their interaction and complement each other mutually and beneficially to forge common bonds between our two developing societies in their march towards a prosperous and a developed future.

Regionally, our bilateral relations should serve as an example to a more homogenous and integrated future for all peoples of South Asia, manifest in the over-arching umbrella under SAARC. The future is promising for our two nations.

As Pakistan grapples successfully with some significant challenges, its direction and course ahead is solidly defined as a progressive, moderate, tolerant and prosperous society. On the back of some consistent and exemplary economic performance over the last five years, the future beckons towards greater heights.

The people of Pakistan are committed to stay the course, he added. Pakistan will stand with Sri Lanka and rest of the international community to help forge an environment of negotiation and political movement towards the cherished goal for a lasting peace, he added. In a message, the President of Pakistan General Pervez Musharraf said our country has come a long way since its independence.

Recently included in the global “next 11” emerging economies, Pakistan is on a sure and sustainable macro-economic footing with investment and entrepreneurial activities spreading across sectors.

Ever since we deregulated the media in 2000, the government and the independent television, radio and print media have been strengthening the social fabric of the nation through open discourse around issues concerning both state and society.

I have no doubt that our nation’s rich cultural heritage will rise above the challenges associated with the freedom of speech and expression. Our achievements of empowering the masses through an ingenious local government system, empowerment of women, empowerment of minorities and institution of a system of checks and balances in the form of a National Security Council for ensuring a sustainable democracy, conveys our resolve towards strong efficient governance to optimize our potential.

Whereas the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shaukat Aziz in his message said while we celebrate the Independence Day we must never forget that this day comes round every year to remind us of the countless trials and sacrifices that preceded the creation of Pakistan.

These memories should serve to strengthen our resolve to protect the homeland with all the strength at our command. It has been the privilege of our government to frame and follow policies that have helped to usher in a new era of progress and economic prosperity for the nation.

I would like to assure my countrymen that we shall continue to further promote the democratic order as well. We are endeavouring to stabilize a democratic culture, in which Pakistan takes precedence over everything else in the minds of the people - a culture in which politics should become another name for service of the nation.