Pakistan Is Our Identity, Protecting Our Freedom Is Our Responsibility: Mir Ali Hassan Zehri

Islamabad: Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) senior leader, spokesperson for President Asif Ali Zardari and Senior Provincial Vice President of PPP Balochistan Mir Ali Hassan Zehri has extended heartfelt Independence Day greetings to the nation, particularly the people of Balochistan, on the occasion of Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day.

In his special message, Zehri said freedom was a great blessing from Allah Almighty and the result of the countless sacrifices made by the nation’s elders. He said it was the collective national responsibility of every citizen to value this freedom and contribute to Pakistan’s security, sovereignty, development and prosperity.

He said August 14 reminded the nation of the historic struggle through which the Muslims of the subcontinent achieved an independent homeland. Pakistan, he added, was not merely a geographical territory but represented the nation’s dreams, hopes, identity and the future of coming generations.

Zehri said love for the country should not remain limited to slogans but should be demonstrated through honesty, hard work, integrity, respect for the law, education, public service and constructive participation in the country’s development.

Message to Balochistan’s Youth

Addressing the youth of Balochistan, particularly those facing frustration, deprivation or misunderstandings, Zehri said they were the country’s valuable asset and the hope of its bright future.

He urged young people to reject what he described as false propaganda and negative agendas of hostile elements, recognize their connection with their homeland and use their abilities for Pakistan’s development.

He said external elements and anti-Pakistan forces were attempting to mislead young people and distance them from their country and nation. However, the conscious youth of Balochistan could defeat such designs through wisdom, patriotism and positive contributions.

Zehri urged the youth to choose education, skills, research, entrepreneurship, employment and national service instead of violence, hatred and division, and demonstrate to the world that the youth of Balochistan were committed to building Pakistan.

Tribute to Armed Forces and Security Personnel

Zehri paid tribute to Pakistan’s armed forces, saying brave personnel of the Army, Air Force and Navy were protecting the country’s borders day and night under the most difficult circumstances.

He said the sacrifices of the armed forces for Pakistan’s security and defence were a proud chapter in the country’s history.

He also paid tribute to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and personnel of all security forces, including police, Frontier Corps and other law-enforcement agencies, for their sacrifices and bravery in the fight against terrorism.

Zehri said the nation would never forget the services and sacrifices of those who had stood as a strong shield for the defence of the country and restoration of peace.

He also paid tribute to the leaders, activists, elders, mothers, sisters and youth who had made sacrifices during the struggle for independence, as well as the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for Pakistan’s survival, security, sovereignty and defence after independence.

Call for Unity and Development

Zehri said nations did not achieve greatness merely by gaining independence; they maintained their strength through protecting freedom, national unity, the rule of law, education, economic development and collective responsibility.

He called on the nation to pledge on August 14 to choose love over hatred, unity over division, hope over despair and construction over destruction.

He said Pakistan’s security, sovereignty, development and prosperity required the nation to work together as one.

Zehri concluded by saying that Pakistan’s security was a national responsibility, its development was the nation’s goal and its bright future was a shared destination.

He extended his heartfelt congratulations to the entire nation on the 79th Independence Day and said Pakistanis had been united in the past, remained united today and would continue working together to make the country stronger, more prosperous and developed.