Modi greets Imran on Pakistan Day

ISLAMABAD: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended his greetings and best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the National Day of Pakistan. Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a tweet, said he has received a greeting message from his Indian counterpart. The Indian prime minister said it is time that people of Sub-Continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive and prosperous region, in an atmosphere free of terror and violence.

The prime minister tweeted, “received msg from PM Modi: “I extend my greetings & best wishes to the people of Pakistan on the National Day of Pakistan. It is time that ppl of sub-continent work together for a democratic, peaceful, progressive and prosperous region, in an atmosphere, free of terror and violence”.

Imran Khan welcomed the message from Modi and tweeted,”I welcome PM Modi's message to our people. As we celebrate Pakistan Day I believe it is time to begin a comprehensive dialogue with India to address & resolve all issues, esp the central issue of Kashmir, & forge a new relationship based on peace & prosperity for all our people.”

Meanwhile, the nation is celebrating Pakistan Day today (Saturday) with a commitment to ensure progress, prosperity and a strong defence of the country.

The day is being observed to commemorate the passage of Lahore Resolution on this day in 1940 under which the Muslims of the Sub-Continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.

The day will dawn with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in provincial and state capitals.

Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country. National flag will be hoisted on major government buildings.

The main feature of the day will be the grand military parade in Islamabad where contingents of the three armed forces and the security forces will conduct march past while jet fighter will present aerobatic manoeuvres. The march of different floats depicting various aspects of the culture of different provinces is also part of the parade.

This year Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad will be the guest of honour in the parade. President Arif Alvi Prime Minister Imran Khan senior officers and the three services chiefs will also witness the parade.

An investiture ceremony will also be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr in the evening where the president will confer civil awards on individuals demonstrating feats in different fields of science and arts. One hundred and seventy-one personalities, including some foreigners, have been selected for this year’s awards.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, Premier Li Keqiang and Foreign Minister Wang Yi sent message of greetings on Pakistan Day, wishing well-being of the people and their continuous socio-economic progress.

In his congratulatory message to his Pakistani counterpart Dr Arif Alvi, President Xi Jinping said currently Pakistan is making efforts to maintain stability, expedite economic development and improve people’s livelihood.

“We are pleased that tangible outcome have been achieved in this regard. I am sure that under your leadership and the Pakistani government, new progress will be made continuously in building your country,” he added.

Premier Li Keqiang in his message to Prime Minister Imran Khan said in recent years, China and Pakistan have worked together in promoting the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership towards a higher stage.

“The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor is steadily forging ahead, with fruitful results in various fields. Both sides have agreed to develop CPEC with higher quality in order to better benefit the two countries and the two peoples," he said.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev in his felicitation letter to President Arif Alvi congratulated the people of Pakistan on the National Day.

“Azerbaijan and Pakistan are bound together by strong friendship and partnership relations. High level relations existing between our states which are based on mutual trust and support, reflects the will of our brotherly peoples,” he said.

“I am confident that, improvement in our bilateral relations, deepening of cooperation in all areas will further serve to the interests of our peoples and countries,” he added.