By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan’s President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani Thursday urged the nation to be united to face the challenges ahead.
In a message delivered to the nation on the country’s 62nd Independence Day, Musharraf stressed the need for tolerance and forbearance for successful working of democracy in the country.
“We must subordinate petty differences to higher values of life and strive together for making Pakistan a truly modern, dynamic, progressive and democratic Islamic state in accordance with the ideals of our founder,” Musharraf said.
“Pakistan is passing through a difficult phase of its history as in the prevailing geo-political and economic situation, our adversaries are trying to destabilise Pakistan from several fronts, internal as well as external,” said Musharraf in the message.
Addressing the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Jinnah Convention Centre here, Gilani said: “It is time to ensure supremacy of public power through their representatives and work for unity and integrity of the country with a view to fulfilling the vision of our forefathers who wanted to see Pakistan free from prejudices”.
Gilani said the country had been passing through a difficult time and was facing major challenges of extremism and terrorism, price rise, unemployment and power crisis which the government was committed to overcoming with the help of the people.
Pakistan’s independence day is observed Aug 14, when the country gained independence from the British in 1947.