As Muslim, we greet each other by saying Assalam-o-Alaikam and in response we say Walaikam Alssalam. And as Pakistanis, we should be saying Assalam-o-Alaikam adding Jeevay Pakistan to express our gratitude to Almighty Allah for blessing us with a free and independent country.
I for one firmly believe in Pakistan first and foremost and take genuine pride in being a Pakistani. Islam is my religion and Pakistan is my identity within the country and also in the comity of nations.
All of us should not only be praying for our motherland but also work for its progress and development day and night in our respective spheres of activity with dedication and devotion.
To develop the country is not the responsibility of President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz or for that matter the Federal and Provincial Governments.
We owe it to Pakistan to work sincerely. honestly and efficiently to build it into a stronger, united, integrated, progressive, moderate, forward looking country. There is no denying the fact that majority of the Pakistanis are tolerant and have patience and courage to withstand others point of view no matter how different it may be.
We do pray for the long life of Pakistan on some occasions like the Independence Day, Pakistan Day etc. But why not every day and every moment to express gratitude to Almighty Allah and start saying Jeevay Pakistan while greeting each other after Assalam o Alaikam right now. Jeevay Pakistan.