Prime Minister
Shaukat Aziz’s

Message on the occasion of

PAKISTAN DAY
(23rd March, 2006)

It is with great pride and pleasure that I join my countrymen in celebrating the Pakistan Day. It was on this day of March 1940 that the Muslims of India formally articulated their ambition to find a homeland for themselves in the subcontinent, where they could lead their lives according to their beliefs and ideals. The dream finally came true in August 1947 under the inspiring and selfless leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

On this Day, while we pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam, we must also remember the unprecedented sacrifices of our forefathers for strong, progressive and forward looking independent Islamic welfare state, where they could build an enlightened, tolerant and moderate society that ensures social justice and equal opportunities to its every citizen, irrespective of their caste, creed, colour or gender.

The government is determined to achieve these noble objectives, and shall continue to fight the evils of corruption, illiteracy, nepotism, parochialism, sectarianism and terrorism that slow down our march towards achievement of these goals, with all the strength at our command and strive to make Pakistan a decent place to live in.

Let me take this opportunity to remind you that in the present environment, it is all the more imperative for us to place our national unity and integrity above any other consideration. Let us inculcate unity amongst our ranks and discipline in every aspect of our individual and collective lives. Let us further reinforce our faith in the Almighty and our inherent intellectual, moral and physical strength. Let petty differences be subordinated to higher values of life which demand Unity, Faith and Discipline.

I pray to the Almighty Allah on this occasion to give us the strength and perseverance to achieve these noble ideals and bless us in our efforts to prove ourselves worthy of the heritage bequeathed to us by our beloved Quaid. Ameen!

Pakistan Paindabad!