The 23rd of March is an epoch-making day in our national history that reminds us of our past, invites us to ponder over our present state of affairs and inspires us to build a prosperous future. This day is also the day to renew our pledge. It takes us back to 1940 when Muslims of the sub-continent approved a resolution for the establishment of a separate homeland they could call their own under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s dream of freedom manifested itself in the form of a resolution representing Muslims' demands, and aspirations for a separate homeland. The consequential seven years witnessed history in the making as the Quaid-i-Azam led a relentless struggle to translate the dream of Iqbal into reality. The establishment of Pakistan is certainly a miracle of the 20th century. The last seventy five years of our journey have seen us fight many crises from wars to natural disasters. There have been many occasions when we overcame the odds and achieved many milestones. As a member of the international community, Pakistan has played the role of a responsible nation in the resolution of problems facing humanity and the establishment of global peace. As we celebrate Pakistan Day today and pay tribute to the sacrifices of our founding-fathers, we should not lose sight of the challenges staring us in the face. The challenges are topped by a combination of economic instability and the inability to settle the rules of the game. An environment of political chaos explains why we have failed to develop our economy on a sustainable basis. Pakistan came into being as a result of political and constitutional struggle and its future lies in adhering to the constitution in its letter and spirit. I have no doubt that Pakistan is destined to achieve great heights. However, for this to become a reality, we have to forge unity in our ranks, equip ourselves with national purpose and vow to wage a struggle in line with the legacy of our forefathers. Let us use this day to introspect and hold ourselves to account. Only those nations that are capable of analysing their past, learning from their mistakes and making amends can achieve true glory. EMBARGO: NOT TO BE PUBLISHED/AIRED BEFORE 23 MARCH 2023
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