Honest leadership necessary for progress: Speakers at Pakistan Day ceremony

Addressing a ceremony at the central secretariat of MQI held in connection with the Pakistan Day, Senator Ch. Muhammad Sarwar, JI Secretary General Liaqat Baloch, Brig. (r) Muhammad Iqbal, Dr Mumtaz-ul-Hassan Barvi, renowned journalist Asad Kharal, Sohail Raza and Hafiz Ghulam Farid said that if political leadership is competent and honest, the countries remain on track. They said that an independent foreign policy will have to be adopted to create a goodwill in the comity of nations. They said that political parties that claim to espouse democracy should become democratic themselves first, stating the sale and purchase of loyalties brought an infamy to Pakistan.

The speakers said that in order to become a councilor in the present system, one is expected to be very rich. They said that the whole nation will have to speak with one voice and act with a resolve to change the current system. They said that provision of justice in the Model Town case is the responsibility of the state. They paid rich tributes to Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri for projecting peaceful face of Islam in the world.

The students belonging to different educational institutions, colleges and universities sang national songs in their melodious voices. The audience stood up in respect of the national anthem when it was sung. Declamation and essay competitions were also held. Muhammad Shahid, Ahsan Ijaz, Batool Mushtaq, Rabia, Muhammad Atif Fazal, Muhammad Qasim, Ali Tahir, Muhammad Tahir and other students who won positions in these competitions got prizes from the honorable guests.

Speaking on the occasion, Senator Ch. Muhammad Sarwar said that he would become a voice of the nation in the Senate. He said that oppression will end and Pakistan will come out of the crises and injustice will be eliminated at every level. He said that the political forces whose responsibility it was to empower the institutions of the state have undermined them. He said that none of the terrorists involved in 9/11 tragedy was a Pakistani, still the whole blame was shifted on to the shoulders of Pakistan. He underlined the need of an independent foreign policy in the country.

JI leader Liaqat Baloch stated in his speech that as long as there are honest and competent leaderships available, the countries remain on the right track. He said that the Senate elections brought an infamy to the political system when some of the members sold their loyalties for quick bucks. He said that the current leadership cannot get the country out of crises.

Journalist Asad Kharal said that in order to achieve the destination of corruption-free Pakistan, we will have to carry out accountability from top to bottom. He said that an effort is being made to tinker with the ideological foundation of the country.

Brig (r) Muhammad Iqbal, vice president of MQI, thanked the guests for their time to attend the ceremony. He said that the youth of Pakistan is talented, patriotic and capable, stating the future of the country is in safe hands.

Faran Nasir, Umar Farooq, Muhammad Moazzam and Muhammad Hassan conducted the proceedings of the Pakistan Day ceremony.