‘Govt trying to ensure civil liberties, social justice, economic prosperity’

President Mamnoon switches on new chandelier at Quaid’s mausoleum

President Mamnoon Hussain performed the unveiling and lighting of the newly installed chandelier at Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s mausoleum on Saturday.

The light fixture for the mausoleum of the nation’s founder was a gift from Pakistan’s all-weather friend and ally, the People’s Republic of China.

The president also performed the reopening of the mausoleum after completion of its renovation and development work.

On the occasion, he said the strategic friendship between Pakistan and India had been in favour of the people of both the countries as well as in the interest of peace and strength of the entire region.

He reiterated that the government had been trying to achieve the national goals in the light of the Quaid’s principles to ensure civil liberties, social justice, economic prosperity and strengthening the country.

He said China had donated the chandelier in line with the longstanding Pak-China friendship – a yet another reminder that the two countries were there for each other in moments of happiness and sorrow, adding that the gift continued the tradition established by former Chinese premier Zhou Enlai, who had donated a chandelier for the mausoleum in 1970.

Also present on the occasion, Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Sun Weidong read out for the audience a message from Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The Chinese head of state highlighted the importance of the friendship between the two countries that had been progressing and prospering from one generation to another. “Their friendly ties have been important for stability, progress and peace of the entire region.”

 

Trade corridor

President Hussain said the friendly ties between Pakistan and China had been growing with the passage of time, adding that the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would be a “game-changer” and “fate-changer” for the entire region.

Later, at the 53rd passing-out ceremony of the Pakistan Marine Academy, he said any talk regarding a change in the western route of the CPEC was nothing more than a rumour. “I assure you that not a single inch has been changed on the designated route of the CPEC.”

He said that several Central Asian states had requested to become part of the trade corridor project, adding that the CPEC was a harbinger to a great revolution of development and progress.

He stressed that sea and shipping lanes were the strength of a country, as technical capability should be enhanced for promoting maritime commerce.

He said the CPEC would provide prospects to landlocked countries and Central Asian states to access other regions of the world, adding that the corridor project had connected China to Gwadar, and in turn connected a large part of the world to this region.

 

Marine academy

President Hussain said the marine academy had been established to prepare the nation’s children for maritime commerce and the shipping sector, adding that it was a good sign that the academy had fulfilled its obligations.

He said those responsible for managing the affairs of the academy had done a wonderful job in enhancing the professional skills of the country’s youth, adding that the obligations of the academy’s officers had increased further.

He appreciated the academy as well as other services for training the youth under the Youth Skill Development Programme of the prime minister, adding that it was a great national service.

He said it was also a good sign that some friendly countries were willing to send their young to Pakistan to be trained and educated in disciplines of marine sciences.

The president saw it as an encouraging sign that cadets from the Maldives and other Muslim countries were part of the marine academy’s training courses.

He said the courageous and ambitious nation of Pakistan had effectively tackled the menaces of terrorism and extremism. “It is necessary that we all dedicate ourselves to improving the future of our children while countering all sorts of doubts and reservations and negative propaganda.”

He added that all the elements obstructing this great cause should abandon their negative attitude at the earliest and extend cooperation to the government for their own future and that of their children.