Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that on the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan there is a need to pledge that collective efforts will be made for transforming the country into a welfare state in accordance with the ideals and principles of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal.
He said that there is a need to learn from the past and not to repeat the same mistakes in future. He said that if the whole nation decides to compensate the losses of the past, Pakistan could achieve a dignified status in the comity of nations and become self-reliant. He said that it is a difficult task but not impossible. He said that it is time to move forward with hard work, sincerity and commitment.
Shehbaz Sharif said that China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a blessing of Allah for the people of Pakistan and by giving investment package of 46 billion dollars, Chinese leadership has expressed its confidence in the present leadership and its policies. He said that CPEC is a game changer for Pakistan and those opposing it are in fact opposing the progress and prosperity of Pakistan and its people.
He said that the enemy does not want Pakistan to progress and stand on its own feet and that the people of the four provinces will have to foil its nefarious designs and successfully complete CPEC projects.
He said that martial law was imposed four times in the country and added, “One of them took over power is the name of Islam while the other deceived the nation by raising the slogan of ‘Pakistan first’ and other tarnished the image of Pakistan in the garb of messiah.”
Shehbaz Sharif said the fact is that martial laws gave nothing by disappointment to the masses.
He expressed these views while addressing a seminar, ‘Meri Shan Pakistan’ arranged in connection with Independence Day at a local hotel on Friday. Provincial Ministers Zakia Shahnawaz, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, MPAs and a large number of intellectuals and journalists were present.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the nation is celebrating Independence Day this year at a time when a tragic incident took place in Quetta three days ago resulting in the martyrdom of more than 70 persons and injuries to hundreds. He said that this sad incident grieved the nation once again.
Shehbaz Sharif said that in 1947, a historic movement was launched under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for a separate country. He said that it was due to supreme sacrifices of the forefather of the nation that Pakistan came into being and the Muslims got rid of Hindu and British imperialism. He said that these sacrifices were made for establishment of such a country where equal rights and opportunities would be available to all citizens. He said that there is no doubt that some successes have been achieved in the last 70 years and added that Pakistan became a nuclear power and its defense is now invincible.
He said while successes were achieved, some mistakes were also committed and it is time to learn from them and move ahead. He said that there are a number of examples in the world history that nations despite suffering defeat achieved tremendous progress and prosperity. He said that Japan and Germany are among such countries which by dint of their determination, commitment and untiring efforts have made rapid progress and are among biggest economies of the world. He said that it was due to strong economy of Germany that Berlin Wall has collapsed and German nation has achieved a prominent status in the world once again.
The chief minister said that Pakistani nation will also have to carry out analysis of its 70 year’s journey. He said that accountability process will have to start from creation of Pakistan otherwise the faults will not be removed. He said that if the nation did not learn from mistakes, the problems will not be resolved. He said that speeches and poetry cannot bring change and honesty, hard work and dedication is required.
Referring to the efforts for elimination of terrorism, the chief minister said that Pakistan will have to be purged of extremism and intolerance. He said that in 60’s Pakistan was a progressive and tolerant society, adding that the so-called war against communism promoted the trend of intolerance and had Pakistan stayed away from this war the society would have been peaceful and prosperous. Unfortunately, he said, lawlessness has hindered the process of development and those nations which were far behind have moved ahead.
Shehbaz Sharif said that it is not political point scoring but it is a fact that Neelam Jhelum power project was started in 2008 and work is still continuing on this project of 900 megawatts, whereas 1320- megawatt Sahiwal Coal Power Plant is about to be completed in a record period of 23 months. He said that there is no such other example of completion of a coal power plant of similar capacity with the same speed.
The chief minister further said that CPEC projects are being completed speedily and in a very transparent manner. He further said that Pakistan is fortunate in the sense that China, which is the second biggest economy of the world, has given it a historic package of 46 billion dollars. He said that the projects being set up under this package will remove darkness from the country, industrial sector will progress, job opportunities will be created and a new era of progress and prosperity will begin. He said that those opposing CPEC have no interest in progress and prosperity of Pakistan. He said that opposition to this package of investment is opposition to prosperity of Pakistan which the nation will never tolerate.
