Speakers at a function paid glowing tributes to the Founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and called for following his teachings and ideas to steer the country out of prevailing crises through forging unity among people. They said that Quaid-e-Azam was a great statesman who gave Muslims of South Asia their lost glory by carving out Pakistan from India.
Quaid-e-Azam's 134th birth anniversary observed: The Founder of Pakistan not only changed the history and geography of South Asia but also stressed on an independent foreign policy and economic independence, and gave a democratic roadmap to the newborn state, they said.
The function was organised by Markazi Majlis-e-Iqbal in connection with 134th birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah here at Aiwan-e-Iqbal on Saturday. Professor Sharif ul Mujahid presided over the proceedings while among speakers were Shujaat Hussein, Saad Rafique, Imtiaz Safder Warriach, Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri, Arif Nizami, Qayyum Nizami, Raghib Naeemi, Ashraf Jillani, Muneeb Iqbal, Ms Farrukh Azeem and Muneeb Iqbal.
The proceedings were disrupted when political leaders came to stage to deliver speeches. The workers on PML-Q, PML-N and PPP chanted full-throated slogans in support of their leaders, which led to disrupting the proceedings. When PML (Like-minded) leader Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri came to dais, the PML-N activists shouted slogans against Pervez Musharraf and his supporters.
PML-Q President Shujaat Hussein said that his party would continue efforts at reconciliation and would not become part of any move that may create unrest in the country. He said the country was passing through difficult situation and the need of the hour is that all parties should wage united efforts to safeguard the motherland from internal and external challenges. This is necessary to avoid situation like Balochistan in any other part of the country, he added.
He said that his party is enjoying majority in Balochistan, "but we don't want to create problems" for present incumbent government. "We want completion of constitutional tenure of the present government so that people could reject it in the next elections," he said.
He ruled out any possibility of unification of different factions of Muslim League, and said this chapter should be closed. About blasphemy law, he said: "No amendment should be made in this law. However, a new law may also be brought out so that no one can misuse the blasphemy law on political and personal enmity." PML-N leader Saad Rafique said that dictators caused great harm to the country. "All political parties while remaining firm to their points of view should stop the way of dictatorship once for all," he said.
He said the Charter of Democracy (CoD) could not be implemented in letter and spirit and new social contract could be introduced. He said democracy is must to steer the country on right path. He said the PML-N leadership is determined to play its due role to steer the country out of prevailing of crisis.
PPP Punjab President Imtiaz Safder Warriach said that the country would be strengthened by strengthening of democratic institutions. He said the PPP government had courageously faced all crises and is determined to steer the country out of difficult situation. "We are struggling to make Quaid's Pakistan a truly democratic country," he added.
He said that all parties are united for the cause of democracy and playing their due role. Highlighting the achievements of the PPP government, he said: "We with the co-operation of other parties got restored 1973 Constitution in its original shape; gave NFC award; and also made an agreement with China for getting nuclear technology."
Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri said that Quaid-e-Azam's calibre and integrity were unmatchable, and added: "Quaid's thinking had been above the religious and other associations." He called for promoting the culture of tolerance, following the teachings of the Father of the Nation. He added that no country can achieve progress and prosperity without adhering to tolerance. "The country can only be united by following the teachings of Quaid-e-Azam," he added.