Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah visited the mausoleum of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Monday to pay tribute to the Founder of the Nation on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
Upon his arrival at the mausoleum, Shah was warmly received by his cabinet members, the chief secretary, the Sindh police chief and the Karachi commissioner.
Sindh Governor Nehal Hashmi also reached Mazar-e-Quaid, where the CM welcomed him. The two leaders laid floral wreaths and offered Fateha for the soul of the Founder of the Nation.
Speaking to the media, Shah said he had come to pay homage to Quaid-e-Azam on March 23, the historic day that marked the passage of the Pakistan Resolution in Lahore 86 years ago.
He said Sindh had played a pioneering role in the movement for Pakistan, adding that the Sindh Assembly had also passed a resolution supporting the creation of Pakistan soon after the Lahore Resolution, laying the foundation for the creation of Pakistan.
He also said Pakistan had faced many challenges since its creation but it continues to move forward with resilience. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had strengthened Pakistan’s defence capabilities and laid the foundation of the country’s nuclear programme, while Benazir Bhutto had further enhanced Pakistan’s strategic strength through the missile programme, he added.
Shah said Pakistan stands strong under the leadership of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while the country’s armed forces remain fully vigilant under the leadership of Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. “The enemy can’t even cast an evil eye on Pakistan.”
He stressed that Pakistan needs to follow the guiding principles of unity, faith and discipline as laid down by Quaid-e-Azam. “In view of the prevailing situation in the region, we must remain united and rise above our differences to defend Pakistan.”
He expressed concern over regional tensions, condemning the aggression against Iran and praising the Pakistan Army’s operations against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan. He reiterated Pakistan’s stance on global issues, condemning Indian atrocities in illegally occupied Jammu & Kashmir and Israeli violence in Palestine, and called for peace in the Muslim world.
“There is no benefit for the region or the Muslim world in war. We must pray for peace and urge Muslim leaders to work towards ending tensions.”
The CM said that since 2018 he had consistently raised the issue that the federal government had not been allocating adequate development projects to Sindh. However, he acknowledged, the situation has improved under the current federal government.
“On our demand Sindh has been given development projects in the present federal asetup,” he said, adding that he has always advocated for the province’s share in national development initiatives.
He expressed gratitude to PM Sharif for allocating development projects and funds for Sindh. “I am thankful to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for not only approving development projects for Sindh but also allocating funds for them.”
He reiterated that the Pakistan Peoples Party’s government in Sindh would continue to struggle for the province’s constitutional rights. “At the same time, we will make decisions in the national interest and will not compromise on the rights of Sindh.”
Highlighting the importance of Quaid-e-Azam’s guiding principles, he said if the nation fails to follow the principle of unity, it would harm Pakistan. “We must act according to the first principle of Quaid-e-Azam, unity, otherwise the country will face damage.”
He emphasised that the younger generation should be familiarised with the ideology and vision of Quaid-e-Azam so that Pakistan can move towards economic and social stability. He later recorded his impressions in the visitors’ book at Mazar-e-Quaid. Concluding his remarks, he extended Pakistan Day greetings to the nation.
Hashmi said on the occasion that the foundations laid by the elders serve as a guiding path towards the nation’s destination, adding that Pakistan must be given economic and political stability. He expressed the resolve to begin this journey from today and take Pakistan to new heights of development by 2040.
He said he is proud to belong to the party of the Father of the Nation as well as Nawaz Sharif. He stressed that the responsibility of politicians is not to spread chaos but to strengthen Pakistan.
The PM has ordered that every possible role be played in the development of Sindh, and no effort will be spared for the prosperity of the province, he added.
He also said the Sindh Assembly had passed the first resolution in favour of Pakistan, and prayed that Allah grant the province further progress. He also prayed for the country’s continued safety and for happiness to prevail in the homes of the people.
Responding to questions from journalists, he made it clear that the government cannot interfere in pending court cases. He said the governor’s office is constitutional in nature, while public representation rests with the CM.
