PPP determined to pursuing path of progress, prosperity: Zardari

The president address on 65th Independence Day:-

                                                                                     President Asif Ali Zardari has said that the coalition government, led by Pakistan Peoples Party, is determined to vigorously pursue the objective of taking the country on the path of prosperity, progress and democracy. In his message to nation on the country’s 65th Independence Day, the President said the PPP has a long history of struggle for the achievement of objectives for which Pakistan was created.

The President said countless political workers and activists had laid down their lives in the pursuit of this objective.

“Let us, on this day join hands in upholding the principles for which Pakistan was created,” he said.

The President said, “We are witnessing the power of democracy in action. Let us collectively employ the democratic power in the service of the country and people.”

He said “much could we have achieved if the democratic process had not been repeatedly subverted and the Constitution abrogated and held in abeyance by dictators”.

He said it is also a sad thought on this day that the pillars of the State validated the subversion of the Constitution.

“The nation can take pride that it has closed that sorry chapter. Let us pledge that we will never allow the subversion of the Constitution and the democratic process,” he said.

President Zardari said “on this auspicious occasion of the 65th Independence Day, I wish to compliment all Pakistanis living within the country and abroad”.

He said 64 years ago, the birth of Pakistan epitomized the successful culmination of a long and arduous struggle against heavy odds by Muslims of the Sub-Continent under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

He said the Quaid envisioned Pakistan as a homeland for the Muslims of South Asia where democracy, constitutionalism and rule of law would reign supreme.

The President said it was envisaged to be a country where there would be no discrimination on the basis of creed, gender and sect and where minorities would enjoy equal rights as citizens of the State and fully integrated in the mainstream of national life.

He urged the nation to express resolve to make Pakistan a truly modern, dynamic, progressive and democratic country.

“Our thoughts also go to the Founding Fathers and to all those who made untold sacrifices to make Pakistan a free, independent and sovereign country,” he said.

The President said they suffered and made sacrifices so that all could freely shape our lives and destinies in accordance with their values for which Pakistan was created

Shahbaz says getting threats from Zardari

LAHORE (Agencies):-

                                       Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Saturday alleged he was getting threats from President Asif Ali Zardari.

He was addressing a big public gathering on the occasion of inaugural of a flyover at Bahawalpur on Saturday. He said: “Life and death is in Allah’s hands. I know where the threats are coming from. They cannot scare me for exposing the corruption perpetrated by the PPP leadership.”

He said: “Every sacrifice can be offered for getting rid of Ali Baba 40 thieves. I can’t be called Shahhaz Sharif if I fail to provide justice by recovering the plundered money from these thieves”, Shahbaz challenged.

He said they were ready to set up new provinces but these should be established on national basis instead of Punjab only. He suggested to constitute a commission comprising all political elites of the four provinces which would formulate its recommendations by considering distribution of resources for setting up new provinces. He said the rulers of the past who belonged to Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan remained president, prime minister and enjoyed other important offices but did nothing for these areas.

He said thieves and plunderers had gathered in Islamabad for pushing the country into darkness. Resources of the country were being looted, the CM said, adding Zardari was transferring the public money to the Swiss banks. He said the accused of NICL case was being protected, adding the govt was flouting all orders of the Supreme Court. It was deceiving the people belonging to Bahawalpur but they would not allow them to do so, Shahbaz said.

He said 400 Megawatt power project of Nandipur was pending in Islamabad for one and a half years. Had this project been completed, jobs could have been provided to thousands of people, he added. He said machinery of millions of rupees was rotting in godowns of Karachi for which millions of rupees were being paid as charges for no reason. He said some days ago he had informed the prime minister during the meeting that national resources were being looted ruthlessly. He said he was receiving threats for exposing corruption of the PPP-led government.

He said an increase of more than Rs30 billion had been made in the development budget during the last three and a half years for the development projects in southern Punjab besides a huge amount of Rs70 billion allocated for this area.

Shahbaz said the Punjab government had launched the project of mobile hospitals for providing modern medical facilities to the people of far-flung and backward areas, adding he had allocated six mobile hospitals for Southern Punjab, of which, one is for Bahawalpur. Another project of Daanish School had also been started in Bahawalpur Division where poor children and orphans would be able to get free education. He said a 400 bedded modern hospital was being constructed here and latest medical facilities would be made available to the people.

Earlier, the chief minister inaugurated the project of a flyover constructed at the cost of Rs 670 million. He also inaugurated a model bazaar of l3ahawalpur and inspected various stalls. The chief minister said the model bazaar was a gift for the poor people.

Meanwhile, a building of vocational institute was also inaugurated which was constructed at the cost of Rs 30 million.

When the chief minister reached Bahawalpur Airport, Provincial Minister for Prisons Malik Muhammad Iqbal Channar, Member National Assembly and Advisor to Chief Minister Punjab Engineer Baleegh-ur-Rehman, MPA Mumtaz Jajja, Samiullah Chaudhry and other PML-N workers welcomed the chief minister

Armed forces capable to defend motherland: COAS

Army Chief speech on 14 August:-

                                                            Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani, greeting nation the 64th Independence Day of Pakistan, has said Pakistan is facing multifaceted challenges today, however, its armed forces are well capable to defend dear motherland.Addressing the gathering of Independence Day at Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul, COAS lauded the sacrifices laid down by armed forces in the line of defending country since its independence. He urged on the nation that, while celebrating Independence Day, it must not forget the sacrifices of those who martyred in defending our dear motherland.The COAS said he had no doubt the nation can overcome all the difficulties.He however added that national resilience and being firm of the ideology of Pakistan was the need of the hour. He said the country has abundant natural and human resources in the person of highly talented youth.The Army chief said that the challenges facing the nation were far greater and complex than ever before. "We have to put Pakistan firmly on the path to prosperity".He said that 14th August 1947 is a historic day for the Muslims of the subcontinent. This day is testimony to the indomitable will of the Muslims to establish a separate homeland under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah."Let us, on this day, humbly thank Allah Almighty. Let us pray together that He gives us strength and wisdom to preserve and protect the ideology, solidarity, integrity and a bright future for Pakistan", he added.Gen Kayani said, "We must stay committed to the ideals of Pakistan and remain ever ready to protect our motherland. I have no doubt that the challenges we face today, will only strengthen our resolve".He said the basis of our existence is the "Ideology of Pakistan". Therefore, each one of us must endeavour to pass it on to our future generations.He expressed his firm belief that by following the golden principles of Islam, the nation will progress and win a respectable place in the comity of nations. He said that Azadi parade by the Pakistan Army has become a landmark event on the national calendar which “further strengthens our bondage with our beloved motherland”.

This parade reminds the nation of the sacrifices that made the dream of Pakistan a possibility and also gives us a chance to renew the pledge of our commitment to Pakistan.

Earlier, when Gen Kayani arrived at the saluting dais, the parade presented the general salute. The COAS moved down the dais and hoisted the national flag at midnight.

After the march past, school children presented national songs, which were followed by fireworks display

Pakistan will not compromise on sovereignty: PM

The Pakistan Day Speech by PM:-

                                                           Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has urged the nation to stand united to steer the country out of all the challenges by following the vision and philosophy of founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah He was addressing the nation after hoisting the national flag at the main Independence Day ceremony at Convention Centre here in Islamabad on Sunday.Paying rich tributes to the statesmanship and leadership of Quaid-e-Azam, the Prime Minister said that creation of Pakistan is the best example of democratic struggle in the living history. He said that resolution of all the problems faced by the country also lies in democracy. He said only democracy is guarantee of peace, prosperity, tolerance and brotherhood.Referring to the sacrifices rendered by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Benazir Bhutto for the rights of people and cause of democracy, the prime minister said that the present government by treading the path of its leaders is working for strengthening of democratic system in the country. He said under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari, the process of reconciliation and consultation is underway with all the political forces to find solutions of all the issues. He said our people are pro democracy and the government has always respected the rights of the provinces. Under this spirit, the 18th amendment was passed to give greater provincial autonomy to the provinces. Describing the passage of NFC award as the landmark achievement of the present government, he said it has ensured greater share in financial resources to the provinces.Similarly, Gilgit Baltistan has been given greater autonomy in recognition of their long standing demands. Amendments in the FCR and extension of political parties act in FATA will also usher in a new era there as now all the political parties can operate in the area. The Prime Minister said that implementation on Aaghaz-e-Haqooq Balochistan package has also been started to remove the decades old sense of deprivation of the people of the province. He said he is ready to hold dialogue with all the Baloch leaders to bring them into the national mainstream and evolve a joint strategy for the resolution of problems faced by the province. He said the under the 18th amendment, the education department has been devolved to the provinces but the federation will continue to patronize the department for the promotion of education in the country. In this connection, a national education conference will soon be convened in consultation with the provinces so that a uniform education system could be enforced in the entire country. In the light of recommendations emanating from his 'Dialogue with the Nation' process, the Prime Minister announced several initiatives to promote arts, culture and reading habits. April 22 will be observed as national book day with a viewing to promoting the book culture. First national book museum would be established in Islamabad. Cultural Attaches would be appointed in Pakistan's missions abroad where they are not in place yet while writers, artists and poets would form Prime Minister's entourage during his visits abroad. A film studio and a cinema house would be set up in the Federal Capital on fast track basis. Sports festivals would be held at federal and provincial levels.He said the government is striving hard to overcome the energy crisis and soon unscheduled loadshedding will come to an end. He said that work on Bhasha and Munda dams is underway while decision has been taken to release necessary funds for early exploitation of Thar coal. He said the government inherited the problem from the previous government and despite all odds it has been successful in adding three thousand MW of electricity to the national grid. He said a ministerial committee headed by finance minister has been constituted to furnish recommendations to cope with the energy shortfall. He said a strategy in consultation with the provinces will be evolved to check the price hike. He, however, said that under the Ramadan package, the federal government is giving subsidy of two billion rupees through the utility stores to ensure provision of essential commodities to the people at reduced rates. Under the Benazir Income Support Programme, cash grant is being given to six million people while workers of different state owned institutions have been given shares under the stock option scheme. An internship programme has also been launched to provide jobs to the unemployed youth.