Message from General Pervez Musharraf
President Islamic Republic of Pakistan

on the occasion of
PAKISTAN DAY
(March 23rd, 2006)

It was on this historic day, in 1940 that Muslims of South Asia assembled at Lahore under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and passed a resolution to establish a separate homeland for themselves. The Resolution later became known as the “Pakistan Resolution”. It is truly a tribute to their dedicated struggle and the peerless leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah that in a short span of seven years, this resolve was carved out into a reality and the independent sovereign state of Pakistan emerged on the map of the world.

Our beloved country was created on the principles of Islamic social justice and as a result of prudent policies over the last seven years, AlhamdoLillah, we stand tall in the comity of nations and have assumed a key role amongst Muslim Ummah. Pakistanis have also demonstrated to the world that our people have the courage, fortitude and resolve to meet all challenges of our times. This fact has been amply proven by the people of Pakistan once again by the tremendous response, display of generosity and philanthropy in the wake of the devastating earthquake of 8th October 2005. It certainly goes to the credit of the Pakistani nation that they have always risen to the occasion, demonstrating unswerving faith in Almighty Allah and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Pakistan is today a country rapidly moving on the path of progress and development. Reforms in all sectors have been successfully introduced and are being implemented. A new direction has been given to our nation’s destiny through ‘Enlightened Moderation’ in light of the principles given to us by our founding father.

We are, indeed, at the crossroads of historic changes and civilizational challenges that call for greater demonstration of national unity, inter-faith harmony and self discipline. It is therefore incumbent upon us to rededicate ourselves for the realization of the ideological foundations on which our country came into being and pledge to spare no efforts to present the true picture of Islam to the world at large by adopting the message of peace & brotherhood for the mankind and making Pakistan a shining example of a tolerant and progressive nation.

I am confident that if we continue to tread this path, we will, Insha Allah, be able to transform our country into a truly Islamic Welfare State as envisaged by the Father of the nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal and leaders of the Pakistan Movement.

May Allah Almighty Be our Protector and Guide. Ameen!

Pakistan Paindabad.