On the eve of 70th Independence day, Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Monday said that peace in South Asia cannot be achieved with resolving the festering conflicts that have marred the region.
He urged the international community to play its due role in resolving the Kashmir issue with India.
“The people of South Asia have suffered enormously in the last 50 years due to the festering conflicts. Until and unless those conflicts are resolved amicably, the people of the region cannot achieve prosperity and progress,” he added.
“It is incumbent upon the international community to play its role in the resolution of the regional conflicts, particularly the Kashmir dispute in conformity with the UN Resolutions on the subject with a view to ensuring durable peace in the region,” Abbasi said, in his address to the nation during Independence Day celebrations, according to a media report.
He said Pakistan desires to have positive and constructive relations with all countries of the world, especially with its neighbours on the basis of sovereign equality.
Praising the freedom fighters of the country, Abbasi said, “We are greatly indebted to our ancestors for their sacrifices and we can repay that debt only by making Pakistan a free and independent country.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General QamarJaved Bajwa hoisted the largest national flag at Wagah Border on the eve of the country’s 70th independence anniversary, the media reported on Monday.
The flag, made entirely in Pakistan, was hoisted on a 400-feet pole at midnight. The size of the flag is 120 feet by 80 feet, reports Dawn news.
The flag is the highest one in South Asia and the eight highest in the world.
The hoisting ceremony was followed by grand fireworks display and an address by Gen Bajwa.
“Some 77 years ago, Pakistan resolution was passed in Lahore. Pakistan came into being on the night of 27th Ramazan…it was a blessed night.
“Today, the country is progressing on the path of the law and the Constitution. All Institutions are working properly. We will make Pakistan the country of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal (poet).
“We have rendered many sacrifices…We will never forget our martyrs. We will execute each and every terrorist in Pakistan. I want to tell our enemies, whether they are in the in east or west, that your bullets will end but not the chests of our jawans (soldiers),” the army chief said.
Acknowledging Pakistan’s “internal and external challenges”, the COAS said: “I assure you that we will never let you down. Any power that will aim to weaken Pakistan, the Pakistan Army and all other institutions will foil their attempts.”
Pakistan Air Force also staged its largest-ever show in Islamabad which will feature aerobatic teams from Turkey and Saudi Arabia, reports Dawn news.

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