ISLAMABAD: In his felicitation message to the nation on the eve of New Year, National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz Sadiq expressed hope that the dawn of 2018 will usher Pakistan into a new year of sustained economic growth coupled with the uplift of the common man and consolidation of democracy.
“The upcoming 2018 will surely bear witness to the fact that we have decisively turned a page in our history and have embarked upon our national journey afresh with the resolve to overcome the challenges of the era,” said the national assembly speaker.
He reiterated the resolve of the incumbent government for an inclusive democracy dedicated to the uplift of the downtrodden and marginalised segment of the society.
He remarked that the days of terrorism in Pakistan are numbered and expressed his confidence that 2018 will further consolidate Pakistan’s march towards peace and prosperity.
Sardar Ayaz Sadiq paid a rich tribute to the services of the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for the defence, integrity and security of Pakistan and added that the nation stands in solidarity with the families of the martyrs.
He underlined the need for promoting religious harmony and interfaith dialogue to pursue the ideals of equal development and mutual coexistence as central elements for a pluralistic Pakistani state, and urged his fellow countrymen to shun all differences and unite under the banner of faith, unity and discipline as espoused by the founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The speaker expressed his hope that Pakistan will continue to reverse the tides of poverty by enriching the youth with employable skills and spirit of entrepreneurship.
Referring to Pakistan’s regional objectives, he highlighted that Pakistan is committed to a peaceful South Asian region and will continue to cooperate with other regional players for peace in the region.
National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Murtaza Javed Abbasi has also felicitated the nation on the advent of New Year and expressed hope that the New Year will bring happiness, joy and relief from sorrows to the nation and to the world. He was confident that 2018 will prove a year of peace, stability and harmony in the region and beyond.
