ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi on Monday said Pakistan could be put on the path of development and prosperity by promoting the rule of law, democracy, provision of basic human rights, eradication of social injustices and poverty.

Addressing a flag-hoisting ceremony in connection with the 76th independence day of Pakistan, the president expressed the hope that Pakistan would soon become a prosperous and developed country by following all the basic rules and guidance given by the founder of Pakistan, Quaid-iAzam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

President Alvi stressed the elite of the country to take responsibility for poverty alleviation and promotion of education and health which, he said,were inter-connected with each other. He said currently 27 million children were out of school across the country and needed to enroll in schools. He stressed that every child should be enrolled in school which could only be possible through resources.

He said everybody should pay his or her due tax so that the government could get more resources to provide maximum facilitiestothepeople.Similarly, he said good health was also vital for nation-building.

The president said although it was necessary to explore natural resources buried under the land but the actual wealth was built in `our minds` which should be fully utilised. He stressed the need to look into the areas of the latest technologies, information technology, industries and agriculture.

He quoted Allama Iqbal as saying that without women`s participation; no nation could develop and prosper. Therefore, he called upon the women folkof the country to work for the development of the country by actively participating in all areas.

The Quaid-i-Azam, he said, also encouraged his sister Fatima Jinnah to fully participate in the country`s politics.

The president also expressed solidarity with the people of occupied Kashmir and hoped that by the will of God, soon Kashmir would become part of Pakistan.

He also thanked the friendly countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, Turkiye and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), for supporting Pakistan in its difficult time.

He said the Quaid-i-Azam always discouraged nepotism and voiced for the promotion of merit, unity, socio-economic justice and poverty alleviation. He said Pakistan got independence because of the long struggle of the Quaid-i-Azam and other founding leaders and the sacrifices of hundreds of thousands of people.

President Alvi said the country`s armed forces, police andthe public were still sacrificing their lives for the country`s security as over 100,000 people had rendered their lives in the war against terrorism. He said theaim of Pakistan`s independence was the establishment of an independent state for the Muslims of the subcontinent to live their lives according toIslamic principles.

He said Islam always preached peace and love even when the world was desecrating the holy Quran.-APP