Nation celebrates 81st Pakistan Day: Pak flags hoisted across IIOJ&K

HELD SRINAGAR/ISLAMABAD: The people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K) Tuesday greeted the people and government of Pakistan on the ‘Pakistan Day’ by putting up Pakistani flags for the third consecutive day in Srinagar, Kulgam, Shopian and other parts of the territory, reported a private news channel.

Pakistani flags and posters carrying the pictures of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Prime Minister Imran Khan, Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa and Hurriyat leaders, including Syed Ali Gilani, were displayed, according to the Kashmir Media Service.

The posters were displayed by the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Alliance and Ahl-e-Jammu and Kashmir, Kashmir Resistance Movement, Kashmir Hurriyat Youth Forum and Jammu and Kashmir Justice League. Political experts say the posters are a message to India that it cannot weaken the Kashmiris’ liberation movement through its military occupation and brutalities.

They said the posters had well explained the Kashmiris’ demand for freedom from the illegal occupation. Meanwhile, India has imposed restrictions in Shopian and other parts of the occupied territory.

Meanwhile, President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday in their messages said Pakistan was today back on the track to realise the ideal of Pakistan becoming a prosperous and welfare state on the principles of the first welfare state of Madina and by bringing the powerful under the rule of law.

The president, in his message, reaffirmed the resolve to make Pakistan an economically stronger and prosperous country. He urged the people to remember the Kashmiri brethren, who are being subjected to the worst form of repression and state-sponsored terrorism. President Alvi said the key to durable peace in South Asia was the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

In his message, Prime Minister Imran Khan reaffirmed his commitment to make Pakistan a humane, progressive and prosperous state akin to Riyasat-e-Madina based on rule of law, meritocracy, egalitarianism and compassion.

He said 23rd March, 1940 was a momentous occasion when the Muslims of the subcontinent decided to establish a separate homeland to free themselves from the shackles of oppression and slavery of the Hindutva mindset. The prime minister also expressed solidarity with the innocent people of IIOJ&K who are being subjected to the worst atrocities.

He said, “We salute their courage and will continue to support them morally, politically and diplomatically for the realisation of their right to self-determination under relevant the UNSC resolution.”

The prime minister, who has quarantined himself after having been tested positive for COVID-19, in tweets said, “15 centuries ago, our Holy Prophet (PBUH) set up the first welfare state in Madina based on rule of law, meritocracy, compassion and tolerance’ and where quest for knowledge was made a sacred duty. In a couple of decades, Muslims became the greatest civilisation for next few centuries”.

However, he wrote that when Muslims moved away from these guiding principles, their civilisation decayed and declined. “81 years ago today our Quaid gave us the dream for Pakistan as envisioned by the great philosopher and poet Iqbal and based on these Riyasat-i-Madina principles,” he wrote.

The prime minister regretted, “so far we have been unable to achieve our great potential because we lost sight of our Quaid’s vision. Today Pakistan is back on track to realise that ideal by bringing the power under rule of law and setting up a welfare state with our programmes of Ehsaas, Panagahs and health cards”.

The 81st Pakistan Day was celebrated across the country with great national spirit and enthusiasm despite the coronavirus pandemic on Tuesday. The day dawn with gun salutes and special prayers in mosques for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan, liberation of IIOJ&K and eradication of COVID-19, reports Geo News.

The nation renewed its pledge to work with dedication and professional commitment besides paying rich tribute to the national heroes of the Pakistan Movement for their sacrifices. The nation is paying tribute to the Pakistan Movement leaders including Father of the Nation Muhammad Ali Jinnah and poet-philosopher Dr Allama Muhammad Iqbal for their matchless services for Pakistan.

Change of guard’ ceremonies were held at the mausoleums of Quad-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal. At the Allama Iqbal mausoleum, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force assumed ceremonial guard duties with a traditional spirit.

The national flag is hoisted atop of all important and historic buildings which are decorated with colourful lights and buntings to mark the day. The youth decorated their vehicles, motorcycles, cars and motorbikes while residents decorated their houses, bazaars and markets to express their love for the country.

Meanwhile, restrictions on public gatherings due to coronavirus pandemic provided a new avenue to highlight the sentiments of patriotism among Pakistanis who are expressing their love for the country and its founding leaders, as a buzz has been created on the social media, including Facebook and WhatsApp, with frequent sharing of posts related to Pakistan Day, Quaid-e-Azam, other freedom movement leaders and the armed forces.