(Dunya News) - Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi on Friday congratulated the nation on Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day, saying August 14 was not merely a day of celebration but also an occasion to renew the national commitment to building the country according to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s vision.
In his special message, Afridi said Pakistan was created after immense sacrifices and a long struggle. He urged the nation to reflect on whether the country today reflected the Pakistan envisioned by its founder.
He said the objective of independence was not simply to acquire a geographical territory but to establish a state based on the rule of law, equal rights for all citizens and protection of freedom of expression.
The chief minister said restrictions on freedom of expression were contrary to Quaid-e-Azam’s vision, while protecting the people’s mandate and fundamental rights was a fundamental responsibility of the state.
He stressed the need for fundamental reforms to address Pakistan’s political, economic and institutional challenges, saying genuine democratic accountability, an independent judiciary and effective institutions were essential.
Afridi said it was the responsibility of the present generation to make Pakistan a truly great and independent country by making freedom, justice, dignity and equality the foundations of the state system.
Calling the youth Pakistan’s greatest strength, he said young people must be provided with justice, quality education, employment and economic opportunities. Their meaningful participation in decisions concerning their future should also be ensured.
He said the sacrifices of the country’s forefathers and martyrs should not be confined to speeches and national days. Making those sacrifices meaningful and productive was a collective responsibility.
The chief minister also stressed that financial self-reliance and economic stability were essential for genuine national independence, saying an economically weak country could not remain fully sovereign in its decision-making.
He called for strengthening Pakistan’s economy through transparent governance and institutional reforms.
Afridi urged the nation to renew its commitment on Independence Day to building Pakistan in accordance with Quaid-e-Azam’s vision.
He also paid tribute to the martyrs of the Pakistan Movement and those who sacrificed their lives defending the country, saying the nation would never forget their sacrifices for freedom, sovereignty and national defence.