ISLAMABAD, Aug 13: President Gen Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in their Independence Day messages have called upon the nation to unite against elements who do not want to see Pakistan on the path of progress and prosperity.

President Musharraf in his message stressed the need for making Pakistan strong because countries economically, politically and militarily weak found it hard to exist as sovereign states globally.

Highlighting the struggle for the creation of Pakistan, the president said that its emergence would have been impossible without the matchless leadership of the founding father Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Describing the country’s defences as impregnable, the president said that a comprehensive strategy was in place to make it stronger. “We have also achieved much needed political stability for progress of the country,” he said.

President said: “There is a total freedom of speech and expression in the country and steps have been taken for the politico-socio-economic empowerment and rights of women. The antiquated and colonial administrative structure has been replaced by devolving power down to the peoples’ representatives at the grass roots level and local government is in its second tenure.”

President said that a many development projects had been initiated and were at various stages of completion, adding that special care had been taken for “generation of jobs for the poor segments of society and brining progress to far flung areas”.

He said: “Let us pledge on this occasion that we will join hands to make Pakistan a dynamic, progressive, tolerant and democratic Islamic welfare state. We have the example of our founding fathers before us to emulate.”

President said: “We cannot afford to let down the vast majority of moderate and peace-loving citizens of our country.”

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in his message also highlighted sacrifices rendered by the Muslims of South Asia and said that it was important for the nation to demonstrate firm determination for upholding unity and strengthening the country’s integrity and solidarity.

The Prime Minister said: “I urge you to maintain unity in your ranks and live in harmony as brothers and sisters without any ethnic, sectarian or regional considerations.”

The prime minister said: “Let us pledge to the Quaid’s guiding principles of ‘Unity, Faith and Discipline’ and make Pakistan a truly modern, progressive, enlightened, democratic Islamic welfare state. This will be a befitting tribute to our founding fathers.”