Despite passage of six decades, Rulers hold begging bowl: Nawaz Sharif

President Pakistan Muslim League-N, Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has felicitated the nation on the occasion of Independence Day. He said that the historic day of August 14 reminds us of the objectives for which our ancestors laid down their lives for establishment of Pakistan.

Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that the founding father Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had visualized to make Pakistan such a state where the rule of law prevailed, justice remained predominant, equal rights were available to all, while everyone had equal opportunities to forge ahead in life. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan was to become such a country where all people, regardless of race and colour, would live together in a bond of fraternity and brotherhood, by rising above all the regional prejudices. He said that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, had, in his speech of August 11, 1947, made abundantly and undoubtedly clear that Pakistan would be a country where all minorities will have full religious independence, while they will have equal opportunities in all sectors of life. He said that, unfortunately, few anti-state and conspitorial elements are creating a sense of deprivation among religious minorities of Pakistan, which is not only highly regrettable, but is completely against Islamic teachings, basic fundamental rights and the spirit of constitution of Pakistan.

Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that Hindu minority citizens living in Pakistan, along with followers of other religions, have the same rights in Pakistan, as any other citizen. He said that today’s Pakistan demands the same role from the nation which was played by our ancestors at the time of establishment of Pakistan. He said Pakistan today faces internal and external challenges and we all have to make collective efforts, with the same spirit as was displayed in establishment of Pakistan, to meet these challenges. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that despite passage of six decades, we are roaming about in the world with begging bowl in our hands. He said that reasons for our failures are insecurity of national interests, contravening objectives of Pakistan, not selecting our true priorities to run the country, lack of self-accountability and trampling of constitution of Pakistan repeatedly in the country. He said that due to these failures, the process of progress and prosperity has halted and instead the roots of the country have been made hollow through corruption, while economic crisis in the country has become endless. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that this Independence Day is also significant, as during the next year, before this day, we will have to elect our new leadership through general elections. He said that we would have to provide the country a neat and clean leadership, through the power of the vote, which has the capability to meet the challenges, has strong character and concrete and clear vision and suitable strategy to safeguard the future of our coming generations. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif called upon the people to cast their votes with great deliberations during the forthcoming general elections, and give leadership to such people who have the track record of meeting these difficult challenges and passing through these crises, along with the capability to solve the problems being faced by the masses. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that during the previous two cut-short eras, we served the people in a record manner and completed unprecedented development projects in the fields of infrastructure, communication and all walks of life for the welfare and prosperity of the people, which are even still recognized, not only inside the country but outside as well. Muhammad Nawaz Sharif said that we would spread a network of projects aimed at progress and prosperity of the people throughout the country because, Alhamdolillah, we have such team of experts which has capability and the determination to transform Pakistan into a prosperous state in accordance with the true vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.