• Says those creating pessimism to be ‘defeated’
• Prays for liberation of occupied Kashmir, Palestine

ISLAMABAD: Pledging to strive hard to pull the country out of the economic crisis, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday predicted defeat for those spreading disappointment and despondency and said his government in collaboration with the armed forces will foil the enemies’ designs.

“We will shed last drop of our blood for the country and those spreading disappointment will face defeat again. With the help of armed forces, we will crush enemies’ designs,” he said while addressing a flag-hoisting ceremony held to mark the Independence Day. In his speech, the PM touched on different issues from freedom movement to the country’s role at the world level and from floods to Kashmir dispute.

Like yesterday, PM Shehbaz on Sunday as well stressed the need for a national dialogue for addressing the country’s economic woes.

“The time has come for holding the national dialogue and developing a consensus on a charter of economy by all the stakeholders to transform Pakistan into an economic power,” he added.

The PM also witnessed playing of the re-recorded national anthem at the Jinnah Convention Centre.

“If we can become a nuclear power, we can also become an economic power but for this we have to strive day and night and prove to the world that we are not inferior to anyone,” he said.

“Pakistan Movement is a lesson for everyone which tells when a nation devised the course of its path, the mountain-like hurdles and sea-like distances could not hamper them from achieving their goal.”

The prime minister recalled that when Allama Iqbal dreamt of a separate motherland, a sense of pessimism was created that it was not feasible.

“We salute the founding fathers of Pakistan who had smashed such sense of pessimism and due to their historic struggle, we are now breathing in an independent and sovereign country,” he added.

Mr Sharif said that for decades, the Muslims in the sub-continent faced foreign subjugation, they laid down their lives, gave immense sacrifices and made a historic migration and lost their near and dear ones in that perilous journey to achieve a separate country.

He said creation of Pakistan was a sacred trust and mission, the first phase of which was completed, but its second phase was still incomplete.

“The mission is to give practical shape to those ideals which were reflected in the March 23 Resolution.”

The premier recalled that on its independence, Pakistan was deprived of its due share, but despite all those odds it made excellent progress in different fields as being the 7th in the world and 1st nuclear power of the Muslim world.

Late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto started the nuc­lear programme and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif realised it, he maintained. He pointed out that Pakistan had been playing a key role in the UN peacekeeping missions in various parts of the world.

He underlined the need for retrospection and reflection on the country’s history by rectifying the mistakes.

Mr Sharif also lauded the contributions made by the Pakistani expatriates in the development and prosperity of the country.

He prayed for the liberation of India-held Kashmir and Occupied Palestine from the illegal foreign occupation.

Expressing grief and sorrow over losses in recent floods, he said rains had caused destruction and huge losses in different parts of the country, especially Balochistan, as hundreds had lost their lives and children were left orphans. He prayed for the early recovery of the injured.

The prime minister said on this day the nation also acknowledged the contributions of civil society members like the late Abdul Sattar Edhi and Dr Ruth Pfau.

He highlighted the minorities’ role in Pakistan Movement and appreciated their sacrifices. He recalled that Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had stressed on religious freedom in the newly created Pakistan.

He said the government accorded high priority to realise the true potential of the country’s youth and expressed the optimism that the youth would steer the future course of country’s progress and prosperity by following the Quaid’s principles of unity and discipline.

He urged them to accomplish the mission of the country’s forefathers by discarding the begging bowl.

The prime minister expressed pleasure that the national anthem had been re-recorded after 68 years and appreciated efforts of the ministry of information, ISPR and others in this regard.

Later, PM Sharif visited Pakistan Sweet Home, an orphanage, where he celebrated Independence Day with children.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2022