President Dr Arif Alvi has said that Pakistan has world's best army which brought back peace in the country by fighting out terrorism in a very short span of time.
While speaking at the inaugural session of the three-day 12th Nazria-e-Pakistan Conference organized by Nazria-e-Pakistan Trust (NPT) here at Aiwan-e-Karkunan Tehreek-e-Pakistan on Monday, the President said that while passing through thick and thin, Pakistani nation managed to control "fissiparous and centrifugal tendencies" and achieved a niche in the comity of the nations.
"Pakistanis through their continuous efforts has not only strengthened and stabilized Pakistan on various fronts but also advancing in this direction," he said, adding: "Pakistanis had become a unique nation in the world by proving their worth in every field."
In accordance with global norms for humanity, Pakistan welcomed and hosted 5.1 million refugees from Afghanistan on humanitarian grounds for decades which was unprecedented in the world, he said, adding: "I told the UN Secretary General during his recent visit to Pakistan that I am proud of my nation that there had been no political or general resistance for Afghan refugees' influx to Pakistan and even today 2.7 million Afghans refugees are living here."
President Dr Arif Alvi said: "We have been facing Kashmir issue since inception of Pakistan and Pundit Jawaharlal Nehru had approached UN Security Council for a ceasefire appeal." He said Pakistan was optimistic about the UN that it would settle Kashmir issue on merit. "We had done the right thing and since then we have not left any logical option in this regard."
He said that despite India's war hysteria, Pakistani nation, the leadership, media and all segments of society always advocated for peace which was evident from the fact the Pakistan had set a good example by returning the Indian pilot last year.
He said Allama Muhammad Iqbal brought about awakening in the Muslims of Sub-Continent through his inspiring poetry and thought-provoking philosophy which led them to strive for an independent homeland by enthusiastically launching Pakistan Movement. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah through his political sagacity succeeded to carve out a separate homeland for the Muslims of Sub-Continent.
Dr Arif Alvi appreciated that Nazria-e-Pakistan Trust had been playing a greater role in promotion of vision and mission of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal's philosophy and message to general public, especially the young generation. He said the incumbent government was also making all possible endeavours for transforming Pakistan in line with the vision of Father of the Nation and Poet of the East.
Moreover, President Dr Arif Alvi and his wife Samina Alvi visited the National History Museum at Greater Iqbal Park.
Museum Director Hiba Ali, Manager Awais Malik, and Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP) Board Member Ahsan Najmi gave briefing about various sections of the museum. Provincial Tourism Minister Rai Taimoor Khan Bhatti was also present on the occasion.
Dr Arif Alvi and his wife Samina Alvi visited different sections of the museum - Citizens Archive of Pakistan (Preserving history), Pakistan timeline from 1940 to 1960, 1947 'Fasadaat', virtual reality track, heroes gallery, Gandhi-Jinnah Talks/Letters, Lahore Resolution, popular film producers, Quaid's Hologram, where a short speech of Qauid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was being played, sports, presidential awards and armed forces section etc.
President Dr Arif Alvi observed that there should be a calendar of Lahore events to inform people about various socio-cultural events to be held in a year in their city. He noted with satisfaction that tourism was increasing substantially, even beyond the expectations. President Alvi also recorded his impression in the visitors' book and later he planted a sapling at the premises of the Greater Iqbal Park.