Today, on the auspicious and happy occasion of Pakistan National Day, I congratulate, on behalf of my colleagues in the mission and on my own behalf, all members of Pakistani community residing in the brotherly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Every year, we celebrate 23rd March, the starting point of an epic democratic independence struggle under the great and dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Our leadership combined with the steadfastness, commitment and will of the Muslim nation and their peaceful, democratic and constitutional struggle succeeded in the creation of Pakistan as a new, free and sovereign state.
23rd March not only refreshes our memories of the heroic and historic struggle of Muslims of the subcontinent for a separate homeland but also provides an occasion of self-accountability. In a short span of seven years, under the great and dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the dream of the Muslims of the subcontinent became a reality and Pakistan came into being. We believe our strength, progress and prosperity depend on adherence to Islam and the cherished principles of unity, faith and discipline — the motto given to us by the Father of the Nation for our guidance. All Pakistanis living in Pakistan and abroad must follow these golden principles for their personal and national progress and development.
While today is a day of rejoicing and celebrations for all Pakistanis, it is also the day that reminds us of the tremendous sacrifices, resilience and hard work that our ancestors had displayed in achieving our freedom and sovereignty. Today, let us all look into our hearts and ask ourselves as to whether we have fulfilled the pledges we had made at the time of creation of Pakistan. It is incumbent upon us to renew our resolve and commitment and to rededicate ourselves to the glorious principles of Islam and to the teachings of the Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. Let us not forget our heroes who laid down their lives in the struggle for creation of Pakistan as well as for the security and sovereignty of the young state of Pakistan after its independence.
It would, therefore, be most befitting that today we all pledge to continue working steadfastly toward achievement of our national objectives and toward progress and prosperity of our beautiful homeland. Today let us all pray to Allah for the bounty he granted as well as we pledge to make Pakistan a modern Islamic welfare state as envisioned by the Quaid-e-Azam and other leaders of Pakistan movement.
During the past 58 years since its creation, Pakistan, with the grace of Allah Almighty, has made remarkable progress in different socio-economic fields bringing prosperity to the people.
Today we are well poised to march ahead as a genuine democracy and a progressive and moderate Islamic state. I assure you that in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Pakistan, the government is moving ahead on the path to good governance, genuine democracy, economic progress and human development for which our people have had to wait so long. Today, Pakistan is witnessing a massive upsurge in economic activity, not seen in our country for several decades. The confidence of domestic as well as foreign investors is gaining new heights on the back of a stable macro economic environment. Wide-ranging reforms through our economic policies, financial discipline and consistency and continuity of policies over the last five years have transformed Pakistan into an exciting and resurgent economy. An investment-friendly atmosphere exists in Pakistan today due to liberal and attractive incentives provided for various socio-economic fields. Hence, foreign businessmen and business organizations, as well as Pakistanis living in foreign lands are investing in Pakistan with confidence. Our Saudi brothers, you must have noticed, are also frequently visiting Pakistan for business and actual investment in Pakistan. Insha Allah, you will see in the coming months and years a lot of investment from Saudi Arabia in Pakistan.
Pakistanis living abroad are remitting more money now with the result that our reserves are at an all-time high. Our exchange rate is stable and budget deficit is now below three percent of GDP and we have pre-paid expensive debt. Pakistan economy as stated by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in Jeddah Economic Forum, only a few weeks ago, this year will grow at a rate of around seven percent and our target in the next two to three years is to reach eight percent. Certainly, Pakistan’s present government has laid the foundation of a stable and strong economy and the stage is now set to grow more vigorously.
On the external front, the government of Pakistan is committed to peace and security. We want peaceful co-existence with our neighbors in South Asia and we are sincerely striving for that. Pakistan has always taken a principled position and through consistent consultations and diplomatic efforts at all levels, stressed for a peaceful settlement of the problems faced by the region. Our leadership has tried its best to reduce differences in the international community on issues of dispute and disagreement and it has always believed that the time and space for diplomacy never ends.
Pakistan has also extended full cooperation to the international community in fighting terrorism and has recognized as a front-line state.
It is highly gratifying that the leaders of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have always been fully alive to the Islamic injunctions that bind them as well as the peoples of the two countries in cordial and brotherly relations. The existing profound understanding between the leaders and peoples of the two brotherly states, has always been a basis for promoting meaningful and fruitful cooperation in all fields, to our mutual benefit.
Pakistan and Saudi Arabia share views and perceptions on major global and regional issues. Only a few weeks ago, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited Saudi Arabia and held meetings with Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah. The leaders of the two countries in their meetings reaffirmed their keen resolve to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields.
The people of Pakistan hold King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdullah and Saudi Arabia in the highest esteem. The fact that the president and prime minister of Pakistan visited Saudi Arabia several times in the recent past, testify to the depth and strength of Pakistan-Saudi relations. Our economic and trade relations with Saudi Arabia are expanding with the time. The leadership in both countries, reflecting the deep aspirations of the people of Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, are determined to carry the bilateral ties to new heights.
On this occasion of Pakistan Day I call upon all Pakistanis in the Kingdom to perform their duties with a sense of complete devotion for the progress and prosperity of this Holy Land. In the end, I take this opportunity to impress on my compatriots, engaged in various pursuits in the Kingdom to perform their duties with zest and zeal for the progress and prosperity of Saudi Arabia. I also take immense pride in the role played by our expatriate community in the progress and rapid economic development of Saudi Arabia, a fact which is greatly valued by our gracious hosts.
At the end, I also request you to remember your commitment to our own beloved country and actively participate in its development. I commend and appreciate the patriotic spirit with which you always respond to all national calls. I would also urge upon you all to inculcate in yourselves esprit de corps, harmony, unity and tolerance for others.
Long Live Pakistan.
Long Live Pak-Saudi Friendship.
Adm. (Retd) Abdul Aziz Mirza
Ambassador of Pakistan
