Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri’s message on Independence Day

While congratulating the Pakistani nation on the 71st Independence Day of Pakistan being celebrated across the country today, PAT Chairman Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that the Quaid-i-Azam repeatedly advised the people about three things: (1) creation of unity, faith and discipline in their ranks, (2) they should not deviate from the path of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him); and (3) making the people disciplined and educated. He said that it was an article of faith with the founder of Pakistan that the newly established state of Pakistan can find its rightful place in the comity of nations by acting upon these golden principles.

Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri made these remarks while addressing an Independence Day ceremony organized under the banner of MQI (The Netherlands) today. A large number of people belonging to different walks of life including the members of the PAT and MQI attended the ceremony.

The PAT Chairman said that Pakistan is confronted with severe economic crisis due to corruption, bad governance and incompetence of the past rulers. He said that the crisis has stayed with Pakistan over decades with successive governments knocking on the doors of the IMF for bailout. He said that the economic crisis will not be solved by taking more foreign loans but by promoting honest and trust worthy leadership at every level.

Dr Qadri said that during the first year after Pakistan’s freedom, there were not enough funds to fulfill the needs but the next year there was surplus budget presented by the government on the second year. He said that this feat was accomplished through honesty of purpose, hard work, austerity and integrity. He said that Pakistan’s economy became so powerful after three years of independence that India had to devalue its currency to weaken our economy with the expectation that Pakistan would be forced to follow suit. He said that it was due to unwavering patriotism, hard work and honesty that the then Indian rulers failed in their nefarious designs to weaken our economy.

The PAT Chairman said that in order to take the economy from ICU and make it healthy, there is a dire need of adopting honesty of purpose, patriotism, and simplicity. He said that the country’s currency gets devalued when those holding the positions of authority are dishonest and indulge in corruption and likewise, and the currency will be strengthened if there is honest and determined leadership guiding the nation out of the woods. He said that the new government has promised lean cabinet, adoption of austere life style, and upholding of merit for transfers and postings of the officers. He said that if these are done according to their spirit, this attitude can help Pakistan stand on its feet soon.

Dr Qadri said that the nation should make it clear that if we want to make Pakistan a great country, then we will have to follow his principles. He said that the nation will have to elect honest and trustworthy elected representatives to the assemblies. He said whether candidate belongs to the union council or provincial or national legislature, he should be subjected to the same set of principles. He said that the people of Pakistan need to rise above their narrow interests and elect their representatives on the basis of merit, suitability, honesty and patriotism. In that case, no power on earth will be able to cast an evil eye on the motherland.