DLP Report
KOHAT
Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan said on Friday that Pakistan could achieve genuine freedom only by upholding the rule of law, ensuring the supremacy of the Constitution and respecting the people’s mandate.
Addressing an Independence Day ceremony here to mark the country’s 79th Independence Day, Mr Jan congratulated the nation and said freedom was not limited to territorial sovereignty.
“True freedom is rooted in the rule of law, the supremacy of the Constitution and the protection of citizens’ fundamental rights,” he said.
Recalling the sacrifices made during the Pakistan Movement, the minister said millions had travelled long distances and laid down their lives for an independent homeland. “We must ask ourselves whether we have achieved the true freedom envisioned by our forefathers,” he added.
Mr Jan said societies progress only where justice prevails and law is applied equally. “Unfortunately, the rule of law has not been consistently upheld in Pakistan since its creation. True freedom is possible only when the weak and the powerful are equal before the law,” he said. Referring to the last general elections, he said questions had been raised about the people’s mandate. “Imran Khan’s position is clear: a system of governance can function, but a system based on oppression cannot,” he said.
The minister said that despite actions taken against Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and its founder over the years, the party had emerged stronger. “The people of Kohat and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have stood with Imran Khan and PTI through every difficult period,” he said.
He added that PTI was founded for the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law, and that Mr Khan had struggled for these principles from the outset. “Pakistan cannot progress in the true sense until the people’s mandate is respected and the candidate chosen by the people through their votes is given the right to represent them,” Mr Jan said.
Calling Pakistan “a great blessing from Allah Almighty,” he said the value of freedom was best understood by nations still living under occupation. He urged that the country be built according to the vision of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the ideals of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
“Allama Iqbal, through his poetry, reminded Muslims of their status, responsibilities and the path towards progress and revival. We must take Pakistan forward in the light of Iqbal’s ideals and the Quaid’s principles,” he said.
Announcing a nationwide campaign, Mr Jan said that as part of the struggle for the release of Imran Khan and for “true freedom,” people would take to the streets on September 27. The objective, he said, was to ensure the supremacy of the Constitution, rule of law and respect for the public mandate.
“Despite raising our voice at various forums, approaching the courts and contacting the relevant authorities, our concerns have not been heard. When citizens find no avenue for their grievances, they are compelled to raise their voice publicly,” he said. The minister thanked the Kohat administration, parliamentarians, party workers and citizens for organising the ceremony.
