Independence Day Special: Pakistan celebrates its 74th Independence Day

World Saturday 15/August/2020 20:01 PM
By: Times News Service
Independence Day Special: Pakistan celebrates its 74th Independence Day

Pakistan marked its 74th Independence Day amid much pomp and ceremony, as Prime Minister Imran Khan congratulated his people on helping to minimise the impact of COVID-19 in his country, and the hard work that had been done to help strengthen the national economy.
Pakistan’s leaders received congratulations from countries around the world on the occasion of what is the most important day in Pakistan every year, and among those to congratulate Pakistan’s President Dr. Arif Alvi was the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik.
“His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik has sent a cable of congratulations to President Dr. Arif Alvi of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on the occasion of his country's Independence Anniversary,” said a statement from Oman News Agency. “In his cable, His Majesty the Sultan expressed his sincere congratulations along with his best wishes of good health and happiness to President Alvi and the Pakistani friendly people, further progress and prosperity.”
In his Independence Day address, Khan highlighted the steps his country had made to lessen the impact on those who were most vulnerable to the coronavirus, both economically and personally.
He said, “Congratulations to the nation on successfully overcoming the coronavirus, and reducing the total number of victims, while saving our financially weak class through financial assistance and special lockdowns.”
The Prime Minister also emphasised the improvements witnessed by his country’s economy during his time in office: Khan became his country’s 22nd PM on 18 August, 2018.
“I also congratulate the nation on the recovery of the economy after my two years of hard work,” he said, listing some of the progress that had been made in that time. “A reduction of current account and trade deficits, a restoration of constructions due to special measures, increasing employment opportunities through it, the sale of cement and cars, increasing market share, and the export and recovery of products. The increase is significant.”
These tangible improvements aside, Prime Minister Khan also praised his government for the upgrades and repairs done to the critical areas of Pakistan’s energy setup, so that they would continue to serve its people to the best of their capacity.
“I also congratulate the nation on repairing the dilapidated energy infrastructure inherited,” he explained. “After lengthy negotiations, we have entered into new agreements with independent power producers, which will reduce the cost of power generation and revolving credit. Our next goal is to reform the electricity distribution system.”