ISLAMABAD: As the nation celebrated its Independence Day on Sun­day, the leadership of the country vowed to eliminate terrorism from the motherland and declared that the sacrifices of martyrs would not be in vain.

Addressing a flag-hoisting ceremony at the Convention Centre in Islamabad, Presi­dent Mamnoon Hussain touched upon several important issues, such as terrorism and the National Action Plan, the independence movement, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s advice to the nation, as well as the freedom movement in held Kashmir and Indian atrocities.

President Hussain, who was chief guest on the occasion, hoisted the national flag along with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Federal ministers and services chiefs were also present.

The president said the menace of terrorism would be eliminated from the country by carrying out decisive actions with a renewed determination. “Every visible and invisible enemy will be chased and crushed, in order to establish durable peace in the country.”

The president said the Zarb-i-Azb military operation under the National Action Plan had produced encouraging results and it would continue till its logical conclusion.

Interestingly, Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif, at a recent high-level meeting of military top brass, has expressed dissatisfaction over pace of implementation on NAP.

President Hussain remembered the victims of the recent suicide attack in Quetta and said: “Terrorist incident in Quetta has aggrieved the entire nation, and every Pakistani has sympathies with the bereaved families.”

He said the enemy’s designs needed to be understood and stressed the need for “national unity, democracy and a strong defence” for progress and stability. He said the whole nation was standing by the armed forces in the ongoing war against terrorism and paid tribute to their services.

The president said a national agenda would have to be pursued to improve the law and order situation and maintain economic stability. “The government has achieved successes in respect of the security situation, the economy and development and will continue its journey of progress and prosperity.”

He said the passion of the Pakistan Movement should be recaptured to deal with the challenges facing the country today.

“Equality, fraternity, provision of basic rights, a society free from religious, ethnic and racial differences, and independent foreign policy are the key principles for achieving prominence among the comity of nations,” he said, recalling the words the Quaid-i-Azam.

The president said Pakistan could not forget the Kashmiris on this occasion and would continue supporting them in their just struggle for self-determination in accordance with the UN resolutions.

Earlier, the day began with a 21 gun-salute at dawn. Sirens were sounded at 8.59am and all traffic on roads, air and sea came to a halt for one minute. Mobile phone services, which were earlier suspended, resumed around noon.

In a brief message issued via the embassy’s Twitter account, US Ambassador David Hale said the people of the US and Pakistan shared the desire for stability, peace and economic development.

“Know that the US stands with the people of Pakistan in continuing a strong bilateral partnership and friendship that will grow stronger in the days to come,” he said, adding: “Today, Pakistani entrepreneurs are gaining international recognition for their ingenuity. To all the people working to create a safe and prosperous Pakistan, we are proud to see you nation thrive and are delighted to support its success.”

French Ambassador Martine Dorance, in her message on the Independence Day, recalled how the Quaid-i-Azam had wished “to live peacefully and maintain cordial and friendly relations with […] immediate neighbors and with the world at large”.

Recounting how France was among the first countries to establish formal diplomatic relations with Pakistan, the envoy said: “As it enters its 69th year of existence, Pakistan has accomplished a lot, oftentimes in difficult circumstances. As a young state, it still faces immense challenges. But it can count on friendly countries such as France to help overcoming them and to contribute to the realisation of a peaceful, democratic and prosperous Pakistan.”

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2016