DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur said on Thursday that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had been offering sacrifices for decades and that now was the time for the province to become a cradle of peace and contribute to national prosperity alongside other provinces.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at a ceremony held at the Police Lines in Dera Ismail Khan to mark Independence Day.
A smartly turned-out contingent of police presented a guard of honour while the police band played national songs. The chief minister hoisted the national flag to formally open the ceremony, cut the Independence Day cake with participants, and planted a sapling as part of the celebrations.
The event was attended by Dera Ismail Khan Division Commissioner Zafarul Islam, Regional Police Officer Syed Ashfaq Anwar, Deputy Commissioner Abdul Nasir Khan, District Police Officer Sajjad Ahmad Sahibzada, officials of the district administration, representatives of various government departments, public representatives, local dignitaries, and media personnel.
The chief minister greeted the nation on Independence Day and said this year’s celebrations coincided with a “national battle for truth” in which Pakistan’s armed forces and the entire nation had jointly humbled India’s arrogance, sending a clear message that the enemy should harbour no illusions about Pakistan’s resolve.
He said the nation and the armed forces had made sacrifices to defeat the enemy, adding that those who had laid down their lives for the motherland, from the creation of Pakistan until now, deserved the gratitude and tributes of the entire nation.
Gandapur said freedom was achieved through sacrifice, recalling that the forefathers secured Pakistan through immense struggles, and today it was the duty of every citizen and Muslim to fulfil their responsibilities.
“We must review the past 78 years and decide how to move forward, and what kind of country we will leave for the coming generations. We should train our youth to face and overcome future challenges,” he said.
Highlighting the challenges facing the country, he said terrorism had hindered development and that terrorists had external as well as internal support, which would be countered through a clear strategy.
He urged providing guidance to the youth so they move towards a better future instead of becoming part of unrest.
The chief minister called corruption a major challenge, saying an effective action plan was needed to eradicate it.
He noted that resource shortages in government departments often led to corruption, and that fair wages and adequate resources could reduce the tendency. However, he added, officials must fulfil their duties as negligence was also a form of corruption.
The chief minister pledged to honour the mandate given to him by the people within the bounds of the Constitution and law, and to continue fighting for their rights.
He recalled that the province’s people had been at the forefront in the struggle for Pakistan’s creation and continued to work for its progress and security with the same spirit. Other speakers addressed the ceremony as well.
