ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb Saturday said the journey of democracy would continue with same zeal and zest which had passed on numerous dividends to the nation under the leadership of previous democratic leaders.
“The nation reaped dividends and fruits whenever there was a democracy in the country during the last 75 years,” the minister said while reiterating vision of the Quaid-e-Azam who rightly said that the country’s future was in democracy.
Addressing the Flag Painting Ceremony in Islamabad at D-Chowk, she said the country became nuclear power during the democratic rule of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Nawaz Sharif who connected all federating units by establishing network of the motorway across the country.
She said it was Nawaz Sharif who completed the nuclear programme initiated by Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in 1970s. He (Nawaz Sharif) made the country’s defence impregnable despite the external pressure.
Marriyum paid tribute to all scientists, engineers and others for their contribution in making the country an atomic power.
She said Nawaz Sharif eliminated terrorism from the country, brought economic growth to 6 per cent and ensured zero load-shedding during tenure of his previous government (2013-18).
“Whether it was nuclear deterrence, constitution, youth programme, Benazir Income Support Programme or 4G internet, we got all these fruits during democratic rules,” she said while eulogizing the all those who had rendered sacrifices in the struggle for democracy.
“Whenever democracy was attacked, it returned with full-force,” she said while terming the political system panacea for all the problems in the country.
She said the 1973 Constitution of Pakistan was an extraordinary achievement in Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s ears as it was passed with the full consensus of all political parties. The Constitution requires all state institutions to perform their duties within their jurisdiction.
The minister recalled that Punjab, the largest province in the country, was connected to all other provinces during the rule of Prime Minister Sheikh Baz Sharif, who had provided public transport systems to all major cities.
She said the national anthem had been re-recorded and that Prime Minister Sheikh Baz Sharif would unveil it at a flag-raising ceremony on August 14. She added that Prime Minister Sheikh Baz will be the first prime minister to launch a re-recorded national anthem after Liaqat Ali Khan.
Marriyum would like to thank everyone who contributed to the re-recording of the national anthem. Javed Jabbar, head of the Information Department, Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) and Steering Committee, played an important role in this.
She also praised the services of ethnic minorities for the country’s socio-economic development. “Their service is never forgotten,” she added.
The minister also praised the extensive media coverage of Pakistan’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
She praised the students who gathered at D-Chowk to paint the flag, saying the school children gathered here to show solidarity with the nation in connection with the Diamond Jubilee.
The D-Chowk was used for the protests always, but it was the first time that the children had gathered here to express solidarity with the country, she said, adding the spirit of school kids showed that they were ready to sacrifice their lives for the motherland.
“Today, the spirit is not different from that of 1947 when Quaid-i-Azam established an independent and democratic country for the Muslims through votes,” she remarked.
The minister congratulated the Interior and Information Ministries, Law Enforcement Agencies and police from all the provinces for successfully holding the Diamond Jubilee festivities.
She also paid tribute to the armed forces for safeguarding and protecting the country.
Marriyum urged the citizens to hoist national flag on the top of their homes’ roofs to display unity and show love with the country. “This will show the world that we are a peaceful nation and united to foil nefarious designs of its enemies.
She said the fireworks and laser show at D-chowk had been arranged for tonight which would be broadcast live on the Pakistan Television.
She added that Parliament will issue a joint statement to pay tribute to the heroes who have sacrificed for the country.
