Government embarks upon mission to make country a strong state: President

He was addressing a function here at Awan-e-Sadr on Saturday night on the eve of 65th Independence Day being celebrated by the nation.

The function was also attended by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Chairman Senate Farooq H. Naek, Speaker National Assembly Dr. Fehmida Mirza, federal ministers, diplomats and representatives from civil society and senior military and civil officials.

President Zardari said he is hopeful for the bright future of the country and added that there is no reason for despondency as the government has been effectively facing the challenges and making progress in all the sectors.

The President said, "I promise with the nation today on the occasion of celebrating the Independence Day that following the vision and thoughts of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto, I will make Pakistan a strong, self-supported, and self-reliance state."

He said a strong Pakistan will not be a threat to any country.

The President said he was not hopeless and confident that with the measures being taken by the present government, the country will make progress and overcome the challenges of load shedding.

He said although there are challenges but the democratic government which elected the Prime Minister unanimously and elected first women speaker of the National Assembly is fully determined to make the country a responsible, strong and self-supported.

The President said, Parliament, democracy, people of the country and Pakistan Army together will face all the challenges and give due status and position to the country which it deserves in the international community.

He also appealed to all the political forces and intellectuals to come forward for dialogue with the government so that the country could be made a strong, stable and prosperous state and making a bright future for the coming generations. Appreciating the contribution of the youth for the progress and prosperity of the country, the President said,"Youth is the real future of the country and they are the hope for the progress and prosperity of the country."

The President said Pakistan has travelled a long way and now it is the start of the new era of progress, development and welfare of the people of the country.

President Zardari said with strong devotion existed in the people of the country, with strong commitment he would be able to ensure a status to the country which it deserves.

He also highlighted the efforts of the parliamentarians, for making efforts to strengthen democratic institutions in the country despite challenges being faced by it.

Thanking the international community for their support and cooperation, the President said, Pakistan wants to engage with the international community.

He said, "We are not looking short cuts, and making efforts to achieve the goals of progress and prosperity through a strong democratic system."

He said, "We are moving ahead day by day and we need time to work with patience and confidence to solve the problems of the people."

He prayed that efforts and struggle of every one could be proved fruitful and the country would be made a strong and stable state.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011