ISLAMABAD, Dec 18: The four-day International Conference on All India Muslim League in connection with its centenary celebrations began here on Monday. Abut 500 delegates from all over the country, Bangladesh and UK attended the conference.

The conference, jointly organised by the National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research and Quaid-i-Azam University, will comprise 10 academic sessions to highlight achievements and role of the Muslim League in the Pakistan Movement under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah.

The concluding session of the conference will be chaired by President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Thursday at the President’s House.

In his inaugural address, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said the government under the banner of the Muslim League was struggling to build a model democratic Pakistan to be emulated by the whole Muslim world as a vibrant, progressive and a developed state. He reminded the audience that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and it has to flourish as an ideological, moderate, progressive Muslim state.

The prime minister stressed the need to follow the principles of Quaid-i-Azam who led valiant struggle and succeeded in achieving Pakistan for the Muslims of the Subcontinent.

He said at present the Muslim Ummah and Pakistan need unity, discipline and faith in its ranks to move forward to a brighter future of our country.

He said Islam promotes peace, tolerance and harmony and encourages equal rights to all, and stressed need to present the true image of the religion.

Ruling PML secretary-general Mushahid Hussain, Minister for Education Javed Ashraf Qazi, Quaid-i-Azam University Vice-Chancellor Dr Qasim Jan and National Institute of Historical and Cultural Research Director Dr Riaz Ahmed also addressed the conference.

Delegates from Bangladesh, Britain are attending the conference while a delegation from India is missing.