ISLAMABAD, Dec 24: Paying glowing tributes to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his great qualities of leadership, President Pervez Musharraf has said steps have been taken for making Pakistan a prosperous and dynamic country as envisioned by its founder.

“It is a matter of great satisfaction and reassurance that measures have been initiated which will go a long way in establishing a prosperous and dynamic Pakistan as envisioned by the Quaid-e-Azam,” he said in his message of greeting to the nation on the Quaid’s birth anniversary being celebrated on Sunday.

The president saluted the people of Pakistan for demonstrating matchless unity in the wake of October 8 earthquake and said “we pledge to alleviate the sufferings of our quake-affected brethren by rebuilding a better future for them”.

He called upon the nation to resolve to do much more than the customary practice of paying tributes to the Quaid-e-Azam.

“We must translate his motto of faith, unity and discipline into reality and work resolutely and untiringly for the betterment of our people and for the greater glory of Pakistan.”

In his separate statement, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz urged the people to renew their pledge to rise above parochialism, provincialism and extremism and play due role in the nation building with the spirit infused by the founding father during the independence movement.

He appreciated the caring and sharing showed by the people of Pakistan in the wake of the catastrophe in parts of Azad Kashmir and the NWFP after Oct 8.

The prime minister said: “We need to keep this spirit alive to serve the interests of the people of Pakistan and our coming generations.”

He said it will indeed be a befitting tribute to the father of the nation.—APP