Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Addressing the nation on the eve of 64th Independence Day today

ISLAMABAD: Addressing the nation on the eve of 64th Independence Day today, Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani expressed profound grief over the loss of thousands of precious lives amid the ongoing deadly floods across Pakistan, saying while thousands of people have lost their lives and over 20 million people have been left stranded by history’s most devastating floods, Geo News reported. “Still the rescue and relief operations are underway in most parts of country where flash floods’ torrents wreaked devastation”, the Premier said fearing: “The biggest challenge our government is facing today is the rehabilitation of 20 million people left stranded with no food, no cloths, no shelter and with diseases of many sorts.” Prime Minister said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been hit by biggest disaster ever where thousands of houses have been ravaged, link-roads and bridges have been annihilated, infrastructure has been completely shattered, billions rupees standing crops have gone to destruction many canals have been torn apart in all provinces of Pakistan, which will result in further deepening crisis, therefore, civil society, NGOs and public should strengthen hands of government to cope up with country’s biggest ever natural catastrophe. “Government has provided displaced persons over 95,350 tents, food items, water and medicines in the face of epidemics and harsh weather”, he said. “I appeal to world community to extend the helping hand to tackle this calamity so that Pakistan could stand tall against the menace of terrorism”, he urged. Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said that despite various challenges of grave nature faced by the country including the recent floods, the government and people of Pakistan have remained committed to protect their motherland. “We are celebrating our 64th Independence Day at a time when the country is up against many challenges of grave nature, the chief being rehabilitation of flood affectees, fight against terrorism, struggling economy and ensuring political stability. “Despite these challenges, the government and the people of Pakistan remain committed to protect their motherland”, Prime Minister Gilani said in his message on Independence Day. He said the recent floods have wreaked havoc across the country causing human casualties, damaging road and telecommunication infrastructure, and crops on massive scale. According to the United Nations’ assessment, the Prime Minister said, the total damage done by these raging floods is more than what the world suffered in Tsunami in 2004 and what Pakistan had to face in the aftermath of October 2005 earthquake. Similarly, he said, terrorists and extremists are out to impose their exclusive and conservative agenda on the peaceful Pakistani nation, adding, “Our national economy has been hit hard both by the ongoing war against terrorism and natural disasters”. “Howsoever grave these challenges may be but our resolve and determination to take on these is greater”, the Prime Minister said and added “We have already traversed that road a number of times in the past but each time we came out victorious and more resolute with renewed faith in our ability to steer the ship of the state out of unchartered waters”. The Prime Minister said the Independence Day of Pakistan “reminds us of the heroic and relentless struggle the Muslims of the sub-continent waged for a separate homeland under the inspiring and dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah”. He said, “Our forefathers rendered numerous sacrifices in men and material for the establishment of Pakistan. Their demand for a separate state was premised on the right to self-determination. “They wanted a state where they could order their lives in accordance with the principles of Islam and enjoy the fruits of freedom as equal citizens of the state. The 14th of August represents the fulfillment of aspirations of the millions of the Muslims”. Gilani said, “We should be proud of the fact that our freedom struggle was fought along constitutional lines. Pakistan came into being through a political and democratic process. “Unity, faith and discipline and unwavering confidence in the leadership epitomize the spirit of freedom movement, which infused conviction among the Muslims in their destiny”, he added. The Prime Minister said “equipped with steel-like determination and will power, they achieved the ideal of Pakistan within a short span of seven years”. “The need of imbibing the spirit of unity, faith and discipline as a weapon to fight off these challenges could not be overstated. Our spirit of nationalism presents a shield against the forces of extremism and terrorism and is capable of eliminating these negative forces”. “I have my complete faith and trust in our people. I am sure that together we can rise to the occasion with determination and will power”, he added.