March 23, a landmark day with adoption of Lahore Resolution

MARCH 23 is a landmark day in Pakistan’s movement. On this very day, the Muslims of the subcontinent adopted the Lahore Resolution, which heralded the beginning of struggle for attainment of Pakistan. Lahore Resolution, which was later named as the Pakistan Resolution, was a great demonstration of unity by Muslims. This resolution implanted in them an extraordinary courage and zeal for a separate homeland. It also provided a meaningful direction to their struggle.

On March 2, 1941, while addressing the Muslim Students Federation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah said: “The only durable solution to the problems of Muslims in India is the division of the country so that both the nations could progress economically, socially and politically according to their capability.”

The object of the Muslims’ struggle was to establish such an independent state where they could freely live their individual and collective life according to their traditions. With the blessings of Allah Almighty, today we are living in an independent, sovereign and democratic country.

It is now our duty to put the country on the trajectory of development and prosperity, a dream dreamed by our forefathers and for whose realization they made untiring efforts and rendered exemplary sacrifices.

It is a special favor of Allah Almighty that a democratic government achieved the milestone of completing its constitutional tenure. This represents a giant step forward in our struggle for promotion of democratic values and continuity of democracy.

We are reviving the memory of Pakistan Resolution and celebrating it at a time when the country heads towards parliamentary elections and the people remain eager and passionate for the conduct of fair, free and transparent polls in the country.

This is what the Father of the Nation envisaged. He wanted democracy to flourish in Pakistan and its fruits delivered to the people. Allah Almighty be thanked that He enabled us to rise to the challenge on this count.

I am confident that people will elect the best leadership in forthcoming polls in the country by using their sound political judgment and awareness. Only a leadership that represents aspirations and enjoys the confidence of the masses can realize the dreams of Quaid-e-Azam and the leaders of freedom movement.

We need to adhere to the Quaid’s message that he delivered to the nation on March 23, 1944: “Let us so move forward in such by equipping ourselves with hope that there is firm faith in our hearts, unity in ranks and discipline in our work. If it so happened, I am fully convinced of success to come our way.”

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf
Prime Minister of Pakistan