Bandar Seri Begawan - The Acting Pakistan High Commissioner Imran Yawer held a flag hoisting ceremony yesterday to mark the 63rd  Independence Day of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan at its High Commission.

The guest of honour was the Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan Admiral Noman Bashir.
The Acting High Commissioner read the Independence Day messages of the Pakistani President Mr Asif Ali Zardari, and Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani.

"Sixty two years ago, on this day, a separate homeland was created wherein we could live in freedom and shape our lives according to our values. Today therefore is a watershed mark in the history of the country and an occasion to our values. Today therefore is a watershed mark in the history of the country and an occasion for joy and celebrations," the President said in his message

His message noted that Pakistan was envisaged by its founding fathers to be a homeland for the Muslims of South Asia where democracy, constitutionalism and respect of human rights would reign supreme. It was also envisaged to be a country where there would be no discrimination on the basis of creed, gender or sect and that where minorities would enjoy equal rights as citizens of the state and fully participate in the mainstream of national life.

"As we celebrate the Independence Day today, we should also rededicate ourselves to uphold the principles for which Pakistan was created. At the same time we should also pause and ponder whether we have upheld those principles and values which we vow every year to uphold."

While there is much to rejoice and celebrate, adds the president, there are also areas and issues about which they must be concerned.

He underscored that the mindset that increasingly preaches extremism, violence and militancy in the name of religion and that has been on the rise in the country is a direct negation of the values for which the country was created and this is an area of great concern to all of them.

"It is a mindset that poses the greatest threat to the security and stability of the country that was founded on this day. The recent burning of the houses and acts of vandalism against the Christians in Gojra in the month of our independence day is only a manifestation of this mindset. Let us therefore resolve to defeat this pernicious mindset that has promoted suicide bombings, beheading innocent people, torturing women and forcibly closing academics of learning."

For the achievement of the dream that was Pakistan, countless lives were sacrificed and the country's first directly elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sacrificed his life for the ideals for which Pakistan was created.

"His daughter and the Muslim World's first Woman Prime Minister Shaheed Mohtama Benazir Bhutto laid down her life for saving the country from militancy and for the cause of democracy, free and fair elections and emancipation of the poor, downtrodden and dispossessed."

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) has a long history of struggle for the achievement of the objectives for which Pakistan was created and he express his wish to reiterate that the PPP will continue to struggle for the vision of Quaid-e-Azam. Quaid-e-Awam and Shaheed Mohtama Benazir Bhutto for achieving the goal of a federal and democratic policy where rule of law and tolerance reigns supreme and from where militancy has been banished.

Saluting the farmers, kissans, mazdors traders, teachers, doctors, intellectuals, students, women and minorities for their heroic struggle, he urge them all to support the party to restore law and order, end militancy and provide security and dignity to every citizen and open doors for them to knowledge and livelihood.

"Let us on this day rededicate ourselves to the principles of democracy and human rights, to banishing dictatorship, militancy and extremism and to provide economic opportunities for all in the country and to peace in the region."

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani in his message of independence meanwhile noted that the independence day celebration this year is still of greater significance as they have been able to rekindle the light of democracy in Pakistan in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the nation and that the process of revival democracy. could not have successfully completed without the active participation of the people.

"The 14th August marks the culmination of a long driven struggle the Muslims of the subcontinent had launched to protect their separate identity to strengthen their society, to flourish their own culture in the broader perspective of their religious ideals and practices and to augment their own vibrant economy." He said the day also marks the realization of the dream, the Poet philosopher of the East had envisioned for the Muslims of South Asia and the day symbolises the leadership of the great leader, Quaid-I-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who inspired the nation to achieve what looked an insurmountable task.

"The country and the people are confronting a serious challenge posed by the terrorists and militants. However, it is heartening to note that the entire nation has stood up against these elements and we would InsyaAllah defeat their evil designs to make this country secure and peaceful."

Objective of the people's government is to strengthen the country and to make it prosperous and this is the basis of our different programmes designed for the welfare of common folk of Pakistan and to achieve this, they are focussing on addressing and solving every problem.

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