Musharraf appeals to nation to reject forces of obscurantism
Pakistan Times Federal Bureau Report

ISLAMABAD: Vowing to take Pakistan forward as a moderate progressive Islamic country as envisioned by the Quaid-e-Azam, the President appealed to the nation to reject forces of obscurantism and darkness and raise the voice of the moderate majority.

"On this occasion of Independence Day, I appeal to the nation to rise and resolve to fight off elements, who want to push Pakistan into darkness and raise the voice of the vast majority - that is, taking the country forward and not backward," he said shortly after Friday midnight.

Addressing a Grand Azaadi Show at the Aiwan-e-Sadr, the President said Pakistan is capable of moving forward on the path of progress and development. "The Quaid-e-Azam envisioned Pakistan as a moderate, progressive Islamic state, we have to take forward this vision by rejecting terrorism, intolerance and extremism. Pakistan will progress and rise every year."

He called for projecting soft face of Pakistan through tourism, culture and sports to the world but regretted that the same obscurantist elements oppose it. Islam, he asserted, has no link whatsoever with terrorism or bomb blasts. "This country came into being for betterment of Muslims - it did not come into being for indulging in debates as to who is a better Muslim, we are all Muslims, only God knows who is better among us."

The President said Pakistan today faces three major challenges: some foreign elements trying to carry out terrorism in Pakistan; some Pakistanis' fanning religious extremism; and some political elements trying to gain mileage out of the situation. "But Pakistani people are not to lose, they will not lose, if the people are with us I am sure we will defeat them. "The country's defence and economy are strong - and the country is moving forward - we will take it forward."

President Musharraf said the people defeated the forces of obscurantism at the time when great leader Sir Syed Ahmed Khan urged the Muslim to go for modern education. "The people will once again reject these forces, they will not lose, they have the will, they need leadership that can show them light to move forward."

He pledged to the senior Pakistanis, the young people, the women, labour, the poor and the soil of the land that he would strive for the well-being of the country. "I pledge that I will not disappoint you," he concluded.

The President expressing his strong determination not to let anyone impede progress of the country, said it is his regret that "I have but only one life to sacrifice for this nation."

The President paid tributes to the Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Muhammad Iqbal for their vision and said it were the followers of Sir Syed Ahmed's call for modern education, who became torch- bearers of Pakistan and not those who rejected Sir Syed's call. "The Pakistan Movement was Movement towards light and not towards darkness," he emphasized.

The President lauded the performance of the artists, who hailed from all provinces of the country and presented national songs, saying he knows very well their motivating effect on armed forces as he himself took part in the 1965 war.

Appreciating the programme, President Musharraf directed Information Minister and Information Secretary to hold the event every year with same zeal and enthusiasm as it befittingly marks the independence day. This event has promoted our culture, he said. He directed that Salam Pakistan Award be instituted for award to outstanding performers every year.

The President greeted the nation on the 58th Independence Day. He said the Government will promote culture and announced that the National Academy of Performing Arts, being established in Karachi, would be later expanded to Lahore and Islamabad.

Musharraf said a 75-100 ft tall monument will be in place in Shakarparian as a lasting tribute to those Pakistanis for who sacrificed their today so that we may have a better tomorrow. An ethno-historical museum will be inaugurated in the capital on Saturday while Bab-e-Pakistan is also being built at Walton, Lahore, where the Quaid-e-Azam addressed the refugees, who came to Pakistan.

At the same site, a museum will be built to project the vision of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam. The President concluded his address by saying "Salam Pakistan."●