President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday, terming terrorism and extremism the main hurdles in the way of progress and development of the country, appealed to the nation to stand united against the handful elements, who were threatening peace and security of the country.
Speaking at a programme aired live by the PTV from the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said the government was striving to provide the dividends of economic gains to the people at the grassroots level, but a few 'misguided' people were trying to hamper these efforts. President Musharraf said the government was duty bound to provide security to its people and was trying to take the country forward.
He said: "Our nation must be able to thwart internal and external threats and has the ability to do so." He said Pakistan has progressed in all spheres, be it industrial, information technology, agricultural or any other sector, saying this will bring prosperity and improvement in the lives of the people.
The President said: "With unity and political stability, the few misguided Muslims, who are our own brothers and sisters, but have turned violent because of their militant thoughts and are bent upon committing terrorist acts, will be defeated."
He said the government will continue to strive for bringing about a positive change in the lives of the people by placing all facilities at their doorstep, besides bringing laurels to the country.
"Let us see eye to eye to all, as we are no less than any other nation and we have to stand tall with pride and confidence," said President Musharraf. He urged the nation to rise against all those who were trying to create a negative impression about Pakistan, saying: "Together we shall fight all such elements."
The President said Pakistan has a bright future ahead of it. It will make progress and attain prosperity. He declared: "We have to analyse how much progress we have made and how further we have to go. We will take Pakistan to the place to which it really belongs."
The President said the country's Independence Day was an occasion to celebrate and ponder how the nation had achieved this glory. He said it was after passing through a lot of difficulties and boldly confronting several challenges that today Pakistan had attained the stature of a sovereign and independent state.
He said it was the realisation of dream of Allama Iqbal and through the hard efforts of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah that today Pakistan had become a success story, where everyone was free to lead a free life, independently without any fear and persecution.
The President said now it was time to pay rich tributes to the workers and leaders who helped create this homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent. He said how the staff in the early days of the creation of Pakistan neither had paper nor pens nor furniture, but they managed to build a strong country. This they were able to do despite confronting numerous other problems. He said the creation of Pakistan was not possible without the grace and mercy of Allah Almighty.
The President said: "He felt convinced that Allah Almighty would guide and help us face successfully all difficulties in the future as well." President Musharraf said Pakistan was today an economically vibrant country and gave credit for this success to the people of Pakistan who were taking the country forward on the path to progress and prosperity.
He said with sincerity and honesty the country could attain greater heights and it was a time to pledge that good leadership is brought forward to help take this country make progress in all spheres of life. Earlier, President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz attended a grand musical show, highlighting the story and achievements made by Pakistan over the last six decades.
The event was also attended by Pakistan Muslim League (PML) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Senate Chariman Mohammadmian Soomro, Defence Minister Rao Sikander, Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani, Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri and several other federal ministers, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, parliamentarians, senior civil and military officials and people from all walks of life.
The mother of President Pervez Musharraf, First Lady Begum Sehba Musharraf and Begum Rukhsana Aziz and wives of ministers, parliamentarians and senior civil and military officials were also present.
At the strike of the clock, President Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and others joined the nation in singing "Jeeway Pakistan" as crackers and fireworks lit the dark sky. The participants raised slogans of Pakistan Zindabad and joined in the prayers for a progress and prosperity of Pakistan.
The event narrated the story of six decades of Pakistan's history and presentation with views of those who participated in the Pakistan Movement that culminated in the creation of the independent homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent against the backdrop of clips showing Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Liaquat Ali Khan and scenes depicting the historic moments of the Pakistan Movement.
Two young children disclosed how they lost their fathers; one a victim of bomb attack and the other who turned into a suicide bomber, killing several others. The young boy and girl aired their fears about a future where blasts threatened their lives and those of their loved ones and appealed to the President to provide them a secure Pakistan.
Renowned singer Farida Khanum presented her popular ghazals, Humaira Arshad, Ibrar-ul Haq, Humaira Channa and several others sang national songs. The President praised the artistes and organisers of the show for depicting the culture of the country, which he said needs to promoted. He said he was endeavouring to promote this culture and would continue to encourage the artistes in performance of their task.