The Prime Minister has observed that Independence Day celebrations have been largely relegated to a routine, mundane and rather perfunctory affair, whereas this day is actually an occasion to rejuvenate the true and indomitable spirit of nationalism that drove the struggle for Independence and culminated in the creation of Pakistan, above all parochial considerations of ethnicity, region, language and sect. The Prime Minister has further observed that it is now high time that we shift the focus from celebration back to the reason for this celebration.
2. With this in view, the Prime Minister has been pleased to constitute the following committee to formulate recommendations, in consultation with the Provincial and Regional Governments, for the upcoming Independence Day:
(i) Mr. Atta-ul-Haq Qasmi, Chairman PTV (Convener)
(ii) Ms. Marvi Memon, Chairperson, Benazir Income Support Programme (Member)
(iii) Ms. Shaista Pervaiz Malik, MNA (Member)
(iv) Mr. Muhammad Tallal Chaudhry, MNA (Member)
(v) Mr. Abu Ahmed Akif, Secretary, Climate Change Division (Member)
(vi) Secretary, Information & Broadcasting Division (Member)
(vii) Chief Secretaries of all Provinces and Administrative Regions (Members)
(viii) Secretary, Cabinet Division (Member/Secretary)
3. The committee shall be responsible, inter alia, for proposing events leading up to, on, and following 14th August 2016, by the Federal, Provincial and Regional Governments, that:
(i) Are meaningful in the sense that they rekindle and revitalise the spirit of national unity and cohesion;
(ii) Illustrate the wisdom and sagacity of our national heroes in their unyielding resolve and selfless perseverance for Pakistan;
(iii) Sensitise our youth of the centrality of the struggle for Pakistan in our history, our present; and our future;
(iv) Elucidate how myopic prejudices based on ethnicity, language, region and sect have destroyed, and will continue to destroy, great nations;
(v) Remind us, yet again, of the sacrifices our forefathers made to carve out for us an independent homeland, in the face of all impossibility, so that we could live a life of freedom and honour;
(vi) Vividly bring out the significance of Pakistan to our, and our children’s, liberty, dignity and identity; and most of all, that,
(vii) Clearly express the national resolve for a peaceful, progressive and developed Pakistan.
4. The Committee shall submit its recommendations by 30th April, 2016.
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