Despite many trials and tribulations, Nation always emerged with renewed strength: Envoy
Islamabad, Pakistan Ambassador in UAE Mr. Jamil Ahmed Khan said we need to renew our pledge on this Day that we will unwaveringly strive to make Pakistan a peaceful, prosperous and democratic State.
While addressing the gathering at a reception arranged by Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi to mark the National Day of Pakistan, says a press release received here Tuesday from UAE. The Ambassador said that in spite of many trials and tribulations, our Nation has always emerged with renewed strength and confidence. He said that it is an auspicious occasion as on this day seventy one years ago the Muslims of the subcontinent formally committed through a Resolution to work for achieving a separate homeland for themselves and with the blessings of Allah Almighty and through the heroic struggle of our peers the Muslims of the subcontinent achieved their objective on August 14, 1947, within a short span of seven years. He paid glowing tributes to the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and poet of the East, Allama Iqbal.
He said that Pakistan was created on the ground rules of religious freedom and indiscrimination for all its citizens and we have come a long way since our independence and are proud to be a progressive, democratic and forward looking Islamic country. The Ambassador emphasized that today under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Pakistan stands tall among the comity of nations. He said that Pakistan is a hub of foreign investment and our rich mineral resources, oil and gas potential, power and energy sector, agriculture, and massive potential in the field of housing are attracting multinational companies from all over the world. It is now time that the socio-politico-economic analysts look at Pakistan through our eyes, understand our environment, appreciate our culture, our traditions and history, he added. He said that th! e foundi ng father of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan had a special love for Pakistan and it is his proud privilege to mention here that His Highness President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has followed the footsteps of his illustrious father, and has further strengthened the ties between our two countries.
He said that Pakistan is confident that its relations with the UAE will continue to grow from strength to strength under the visionary leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and His Highness President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Later, National Day cake cutting ceremony was also held and Chief Guest Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Ambassador of Pakistan Mr. Jamil Ahmed Khan jointly cut the cake in the presence of the large audience.The reception was also attended by Shaikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research along with a large number of diplomats, dignitaries, leading community members, prominent businessmen, journalists and a large number of Pakistani Community living in UAE. A separate reception was held at Hotel Radisson Blu in Dubai by the Consulate General of Pakistan Dubai.
The reception was attended by Chief Guest Mr. Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al Qattami Education Minister, UAE, a large number of diplomats, dignitaries, leading community members, prominent businessmen, journalists and a large number of Pakistani Community living in UAE. The Consul General while addressing the gathering welcomed the distinguished guest and said that we are gathered here today to mark the 71st Anniversary of the passing of this historic Resolution and congratulated the fellow countrymen on this very special and joyous occasion. He said that 71 years ago on 23rd March 1940 in the historic city of Lahore, the Muslims of the Sub-Continent under the banner of All-India Muslim League, passed the historic Lahore Resolution at the Minto-Park calling for the creation of a separate ho! me land for the Muslims of the sub-continent and seven years later, on 14th August 1947, under the able leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Pakistan emerged on the world map as the largest Muslim country in the world. The Consul General emphasized that Pakistan today is a vibrant and functioning democracy with an independent judiciary, a free media and a dynamic civil society. He said that the democratic process and our institutional capacity are gaining strength and we are confident that the political process will evolve in a vibrant manner. Despite the prevailing global economic downturn and in the face of adverse internal and external challenges, our economy remains resilient, he added.
He said that we have a large and talented work force and vast natural resources to be tapped. Our banking and financial institutions are based on solid foundations. He said that inspite of adverse internal and external challenges, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani have steered the country with remarkable ingenuity, political acumen and display of statesmanship. He said that Pakistans international conduct is reflective of the ethos of our people who place a high premium on dignity and self respect and whole heartedly believe in the vision and promise of United Nations and International Society based on norms of peace and stability as enshrined in the UN Charter. He said that Pakistans relations with the UAE, built on profound recognition of mutual benefits and understanding, are rooted in history and bonded together by common social values, traditions and faith. He said that late Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan laid the foundations for dynamic and robust relations between the two countries in the early 70s and that tradition was continued and strengthened by subsequent leaders on both sides and continues to this day. He said that the leadership of both the countries enjoys each others trust and confidence and there is a strong desire on! the par t of both the countries for further expanding political, trade and economic relations.
The Consul General said that besides being the first country to accord diplomatic recognition and opening of resident diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi, Pakistan played an important role in extending cooperation and setting up of nation building institutions in the field of health, education, banking, agriculture, aviation, defence and security in the UAE. He said that over the years with substantial investment in banking, finance, telecommunication and real estate sectors and service industry, UAE has emerged as the single largest foreign investor in Pakistan and the second biggest trading partner. He said that with more than 1.2 Million Pakistanis in the UAE and being the second biggest expatriate community in the country, many of whom consider UAE as their second home and for some their first, Pakistanis have contributed significantly towards the development of UAE with large number of doctors, engineers, bankers and finance managers employed in the government sector with an equally big numbers in business, transport and as laborers.
He said that at the international level, the two countries have always extended their unflinching support and cooperation to each other and share commonality of views on many regional and international issues. He emphasized that Pakistan has always espoused the Muslim and Arab cause on every international forum. The UAE on its part has extended generous economic assistance to Pakistan in its hour of need and supported Pakistans point of view on regional areas of conflict for which we would always remain grateful. Later, a cake cutting ceremony was also held and Chief Guest Mr. Humaid Mohammad Obaid Al QattamiEducation Minister, UAE and the Consul General Mr. Tariq Iqbal Soomro joint cut the National Day cake in the presence of large gathering. Children from a local school also presented regional dances from all four provinces of Pakistan.
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