(APP): Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Tuesday said that China was ready to build partnerships with the Islamic world for the promotion of multilateralism and democracy in international relations as well as for unity and cooperation.
“China is ready to build four partnerships with Islamic countries. We should be partners of unity and cooperation… We need to be partners in development and revitalization… We need to be safe and stable partners,” Wang Yi said in his address as a special guest at the opening ceremony of the 48th session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s Council of Foreign Ministers here.
This is the first time for the Chinese foreign minister to attend the OIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which he said, fully demonstrated the sincere desire of China and the Islamic world to strengthen exchanges and cooperation and would surely push bilateral relations to a new level.
He said China was ready to work with Islamic countries to promote a multipolar world, democracy in international relations, and diversity of human civilizations, and make unremitting efforts to build a community with a shared future for mankind.
Wang Yi said China would continue to support Islamic countries in applying Islamic wisdom to solve contemporary hotspot issues and firmly hold in our own hands the key to maintaining stability and promoting peace.
He told the gathering of foreign ministers from across the Muslim world that China would continue to stand firmly on the side of the Palestinian people and support the early convening of a more authoritative and representative international peace conference on the basis of the two-state solution to promote a comprehensive and just settlement of the issue.
He said China would respect the choice made by the Afghan people, support Afghanistan in achieving inclusive government and steady governance.
“On the Kashmir issue, we have once again heard the call of many Islamic friends. China shares the same aspiration,” he remarked.
Moreover, he said China supported Russia and Ukraine in continuing peace talks for the sake of a ceasefire, an end to war, and peace.
“We need to prevent humanitarian disasters and prevent the spillover of the Ukrainian crisis from affecting or harming the legitimate rights and interests of other regions and countries,” the Chinese foreign minister remarked.
He said China would continue to provide 300 million doses of vaccines to Islamic countries to help them build a defense of health. With high-quality belt and Road cooperation and joint implementation of global development initiatives as the twin engines, China would lead the trend of South-South cooperation.
He said over the years, China and the Muslim world had always respected and trusted each other and supported each other’s core concerns.
“We will never forget that Algeria and other countries jointly submitted a resolution, and nearly 30 Islamic countries firmly supported it, to help China restore its legal status in the UN. Similarly, China has never hesitated or been absent in its support for the Palestinian issue, which is of the greatest concern to the Islamic world,” Wang Yi commented.
He said after the COVID outbreak, Islamic countries immediately offered China valuable support, and China also provided 1.3 billion doses of vaccines and a large amount of anti-epidemic supplies to 50 Islamic countries in a timely manner.
To date, China has signed cooperation documents with 54 Islamic countries and carried out nearly 600 major projects involving 400 billion US dollars, bringing tangible benefits to the two peoples, he added.
The Chinese foreign minister said both the Chinese civilization and the Islamic civilization had made great contributions to human civilization in history.
“They have been treated unfairly in modern times. Now they are joining hands on the road of development and rejuvenation. We should vigorously advocate equal-footing dialogue, exchanges, and mutual learning among civilizations, draw wisdom from each other’s time-honored civilizations, and jointly resist discrimination and clash of civilizations.”
He said the theme of the moot reflected the common aspiration of most countries in the world.
He suggested upholding exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, opposing the theory of “the superiority of civilizations”, the theory of “clash of civilizations”, and the distortion and smear of non-Western civilizations.
He also called for deepening preventive counter-terrorism and deradicalization cooperation, rejecting “double standards” in counter-terrorism, and opposing the linking terrorism with any particular ethnic group or religion.
The nation celebrates Pakistan Day on Sunday with a renewed pledge to transform the country into a true Islamic and welfare state in line with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The day is observed to commemorate the historic Lahore Resolution passed on 23rd March in 1940, under which Muslims of the Sub-continent set the agenda of a separate homeland for themselves.
The day dawned with thirty-one-gun salute in the federal capital and twenty-one-gun salute in provincial capitals.
Special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for progress and prosperity of the country.
The special feature of the day will be Pakistan Day Military Parade in Islamabad on a limited scale at Aiwan-e-Sadr due to the month of Ramadan.
President Asif Ali Zardari will be the chief guest on the occasion.
Contingents from all the three armed forces will actively participate in the Parade.
Fighter jets from Pakistan Air Force will conduct a flypast.
Radio Pakistan and PTV are broadcasting special programmes to highlight the significance of the day and pay tribute to the leaders and workers of Pakistan Movement.
Pakistan Day, observed annually on March 23rd, holds a place of immense significance in the history of Pakistan. It marks the passing of the Lahore Resolution in 1940, which laid the foundation for the creation of an independent state for Muslims of the Indian subcontinent. This historic day serves as a reminder of the heroic struggle, sacrifices, and unwavering resolve of the Muslims who aspired for a separate homeland where they could live with dignity and practice their religion freely.
The Lahore Resolution: A Milestone in the Freedom Struggle
The All India Muslim League, under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, convened its annual session in Lahore from March 22 to 24, 1940. On March 23rd, the historic resolution was passed at Minto Park (now known as Iqbal Park), demanding separate states for Muslims in the northwestern and eastern regions of India. This resolution, often referred to as the “Pakistan Resolution,” became the cornerstone of the Pakistan Movement and galvanized Muslims into an organized struggle for their rights.
The Heroic Struggle and Sacrifices of the Muslims
The road to independence was not an easy one. The Muslims of the subcontinent faced tremendous challenges, including political opposition, social hardships, and economic constraints. The demand for a separate homeland was met with strong resistance from both the British colonial rulers and the Indian National Congress. However, the unwavering commitment of Muslim leaders and activists fueled the movement with newfound energy and resilience.
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, through his unmatched leadership and unwavering determination, guided the Muslims towards their goal. He emphasized the importance of unity, faith, and discipline, inspiring millions to rally behind the cause. Countless individuals sacrificed their lives, endured imprisonment, and faced brutal oppression, all for the dream of an independent Pakistan.
The Creation of Pakistan: A Dream Realized
The struggle for independence culminated in the emergence of Pakistan on August 14, 1947. The dream envisioned in the Lahore Resolution turned into a reality, marking the beginning of a new era for the Muslims of the subcontinent. The creation of Pakistan was not just the establishment of a new country; it was the fulfillment of a long-cherished aspiration for freedom, identity, and sovereignty.
Pakistan Day: A Tribute to the Nation’s Heroes
March 23rd is celebrated with great enthusiasm across Pakistan. The day begins with special prayers for the prosperity and security of the country, followed by military parades, flag-hoisting ceremonies, and cultural events. The highlight of the day is the grand parade in Islamabad, where the armed forces display their prowess, and national leaders pay tribute to the sacrifices of the past.
Pakistan Day serves as a moment of reflection and gratitude. It reminds the nation of the core principles that led to the creation of Pakistan—unity, faith, and discipline. It is also a call to action for the younger generation to uphold the values of hard work, patriotism, and national integrity to ensure a prosperous future for the country.
Pakistan Day is more than just a historical milestone; it is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Muslims of the subcontinent. It is a day to honor the sacrifices of the past and reaffirm the commitment to building a strong and progressive Pakistan. As the nation moves forward, it must continue to uphold the principles of justice, equality, and unity that were at the heart of the Pakistan Movement.
May Pakistan continue to shine as a beacon of hope, strength, and prosperity for generations to come. Pakistan Zindabad!
