Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Thursday said all state institutions were working properly within their ambits and there was a dire need for the nation to unite evolving a collective approach which would help overcome the challenges facing the country.
Addressing a seminar to honour those who brought laurels to the country in diverse fields, Gilani said the government was striving to resolve the issues confronting the country through its prudent policies. However, he stressed the need for oneness among the nation to accomplish the goals smoothly. Eminent educationist and scientist Dr Ataur Rehman, writer Iftikhar Arif, cricketer Shahid Afridi, human rights worker Ansar Burney, film star Javaid Sheikh and a student Ibrahim Shahid, who holds a record in O levels examinations, were invited for acknowledgement of their achievements in their respective fields.
He said Pakistan had given tremendously to its people in terms of self-respect and freedom and it was now their duty to fulfil their responsibilities towards their motherland. “Our existence is linked with the solidarity of Pakistan,” he said.
He said the people of Pakistan had all the potential to jointly overcome difficult times and mentioned their exemplary dedication at the time of floods and earthquakes. The prime minister said the government was pursuing the policy of reconciliation to ensure the country’s sovereignty and stability, which was its top most priority. He said he did not consider the government as a source of power but a way to serve the people.
The prime minister lauded the holding of seminar to recognise the services of those who made remarkable achievements in their fields. He said acknowledging heroes in their lives was a characteristic of a lively nation, adding that such a gesture would encourage those who wanted to brave challenges and contribute towards the betterment of the country. Information Minister Firdous Ashiq Awan said the importance of an independent county could be realised by those nations who were struggling for freedom.
She said though the country was at the crossroads of crises including terrorism, unemployment, poverty and law and order situation, the government was striving for sustainable solutions to all the issues. She said on this independence day, the nation needed to work hard to help the country stand among the international community with pride.
Professor Dr Ataur Rehman called for focusing more on education to develop the society. He lauded the government’s decision to allocate seven percent of the GDP for the education sector.
Iftikhar Arif, writer and former National Language Authority chairman, said the nation must rise above the differences of provincialism and act as a single entity.
Ansar Burney called the four provinces four brothers, which he said, must stand by each other in trying times. Afridi said he felt satisfaction that the seminar was highlighting nationalism contrary to the contemporary practice of boosting provincialism and ethnicity. Shahid, the secured 23 As in O level examination, said he dedicated his achievements to the country which had given him an identity.
Actor Javaid Sheikh stressed the need to face the challenges by contributing for the motherland through hard work and dedication.
