Turning challenge into opportunity
Message by High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Mr Badr-ud-Deen on Pakistan Day

On the auspicious occasion of the 65th anniversary of Pakistan Day, it gives me immense pleasure and delight to congratulate all Pakistani compatriots living in Brunei Darussalam.

Today all Pakistanis in Pakistan and abroad are expressing their thanks and gratitude through prayers to Allah the Almighty for bestowing upon them the greatest blessings of freedom and a homeland.

On this epoch-making and historic day - which serves as a milestone and a watershed in the history of independence struggle of the Muslims in South Asia - we are required to undertake a reckoning and self-assessment.

While expressing our satisfaction over achievements made so far in various fields, the fact remains that there is still a long way to go and there remains much room for improvement.

We must not be complacent on our achievements realising that our lofty objectives to become a successful and honourable nation demands a lot of sincere efforts, commitment to the cause of an Islamic state and dedication to serve the nation.

By the grace of Allah, under the present leadership of Pakistan, we have once again renewed the pledges that our forefathers had made to fulfil the vision and dreams of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

On the historic day of March 23, 1940 the Muslims of South Asia found a beacon light under vibrant and dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who sensitised them to have a separate homeland of their own, where they would lead their lives in accordance with the tenets of Islam, Islamic civilisation, culture, traditions, social norms and values of the Muslims.

Millions of Muslims of the Sub-Continent sacrificed their lives for nurturing the creation of a separate homeland for their dear ones and future generation.

The commemoration of the 65th anniversary of the Pakistan Day converges on two important points. The first, we must bow our heads before Allah the Almighty for bestowing upon us the blessings of freedom and a separate, independent and sovereign homeland.

The second, we must ensure the realisation and culmination of dreams of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which demands for continuing our relentless efforts to make Pakistan a strong and stable country and adhere to the tenets of Islam.

No doubt there are internal and external dangers. Naturally and consequently, we have to tread our way very carefully. We can achieve quantifiable results through acting upon the true teachings of Islam and following the Quaid-e-Azam's motto 'Unity, Faith and Discipline.'

Under the sagacious and wise leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf, we cannot and will not allow the vision of Quaid-e-Azam be blurred. We must constantly remind ourselves that Pakistan comes first.

We are at a defining moment in history, we can either seize the moment and define our destiny or we can let the moment define our destiny. We must turn challenge into opportunity. We must reflect and act quickly and collectively for the sake of our future generation. The way forward is to build harmony, promote moderation, oppose extremism and ensure justice; President Musharraf calls this 'Enlightened Moderation.'

Before my conclusion, I want to express gratitude and thanks to the Government of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah and the very friendly people of Brunei Darussalam for their continued magnanimity, support and generosity for accommodating a large number of Pakistanis in various fields in Brunei Darussalam.

This certainly is a reflection of the highest level of cordiality, fraternity, accommodation and close relations.

The invaluable support and generosity on the part of the Government and people of Brunei Darussalam have certainly been reinforced with common faith, binding ties of Islam, as well as strong historical and cultural links between the people of Pakistan and Brunei Darussalam.

I am fully confident that these ties would be further strengthened to the benefit of the people of the two countries in the coming years.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin