PM stresses unity, patriotism as solution to socio-economic challenges

ISLAMABAD, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the challenges confronting Pakistan at the economic, social and security fronts could be overcome through unity and joint efforts, and called upon the people from all walks of life to come forward with a spirit of patriotism.

He urged upon the Ulema to take responsibility to promote unity and brotherhood in society, adding that everyone should rise above sectarian differences and give preference to national issues over their personal wishes for the stability and betterment of Pakistan.

The prime minister was addressing the ceremony of “Rab-e-Zuljalal ka Ehsaan – Pakistan” and National Youth and Ulema Convention organized by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting here at the Jinnah Convention Centre.

Federal ministers, parliamentarians, ambassadors from Islamic countries, religious scholars and youth participated in the convention. The event was organized in connection with Juma Tul Wida, especially 27th night of Ramazanul Mubarak.

Pakistan was created on Laylat al-Qadr, Juma Tul Wida during Ramazanul Mubarak 1366 Hijri, August 14, 1947. The prime minister said he was speaking on a sacred day and in a month in which Allah Almighty revealed the Holy Quran through His Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

This month, Allah Almighty gave the blessing of Pakistan, which became independent due to the great sacrifices of old and young who crossed the river of blood to migrate to their new homeland, he remarked.

The prime minister said it was the demand of the time that people should show unity and harmony to resolve issues faced by Pakistan. PM Sharif said the security forces of Pakistan gave immense sacrifices of their lives in the war against terrorism to secure the country’s future.

The future generations would not forgive if unity was not displayed to overcome the threat of terrorism and Ulema would have to play an important role in this regard, he asserted. Shehbaz Sharif said Ramadan-ul-Mubarak was a very important month as Pakistan was created in this month as the only ideological Islamic state.

He said the world powers were against the proliferation of nuclear weapons, but despite all odds, in 1998 Pakistan became a nuclear power and due to the nuclear capability and the brave armed forces, no enemy could cast an evil eye towards the country. He said Allah endowed Pakistan with numerous blessings and intelligent people like ulema, politicians, military and civil officers and youth.

Pakistan was also blessed with trillions of dollars worth of natural resources, he said, adding the foreign elements who were giving financial support to terrorists also did not want Pakistan to gain benefit from its mineral resources.

Pakistan could pay off its debts by exploiting its mineral resources to secure its lost status in the world, he continued. Shehbaz Sharif was of the view that without economic progress, political independence could not be achieved. He said it was responsibility of the state to enable the citizens to live their lives according to Islam, and added that no law could be made contrary to the teachings of Islam.

He advised the youth to follow discipline in their lives and come up to the expectations of the nation. He appealed to ulema to promote positive thinking and the habit of research so that the spread of fake news and malicious propaganda could be stopped.

He said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had acknowledged that Pakistan had achieved economic stability. He said Pakistan would continue to support the people of Palestine and Jammu and Kashmir in achieving their freedom from occupying forces. He expressed solidarity with the people of Palestine and Kashmir who were being oppressed by the occupying forces.

He said Israel killed 50,000 Palestinians and had violated the cease-fire, and again began to kill people in Palestine. At the end of the ceremony, the prime minister met the ulema and families of martyrs.