Islamabad 13 August 2007-Former Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Pakistan Peoples Party Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto has issued the following statement on the Independence Day of Pakistan falling on August 14.

"On this auspicious occasion of the 60th Independence Day and I wish to compliment all Pakistanis living within the country and abroad.

"Today is a watershed mark in the history of the country as it was on this day, sixty years ago, that a separate homeland was created wherein we could live in freedom and shape our lives according to our values.

"Pakistan was envisaged by its Founding Fathers to be a homeland for the Muslims of South Asia where democracy, Constitutionalism, rule of law and respect of human rights would reign supreme. It was also envisaged to be a country where there would be social justice and economic opportunities for all.

Countless lives were sacrificed for the achievement of the dream that was Pakistan. The country's first directly elected Prime Minister Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto sacrificed his life for the ideals for which Pakistan was created.

"The Pakistan Peoples Party has a long history of struggle for the achievement of the objectives for which Pakistan was created. I wish to reiterate that the PPP will continue to struggle for the vision of Quaid Azam and Quaid e Awam for achieving the goal of a federal and democratic polity.

"On this occasion I wish to reiterate that the PPP which has given a manifesto of peace and prosperity will pursue the goal of peace with honour and good neighbourly relations with countries in the region. We will endeavour to give hope to the people through roti, kapra and makan and by providing them employment, education, energy and safe
environment.

"On the sixtieth anniversary of our independence I also salute farmers, kissans, mazdoor traders, teachers, doctors, intellectuals, students, women and minorities for their heroic struggle. I also ask them to support the Party to restore law and order and provide security and dignity to every citizen and open doors for them to knowledge and livelihood.

"Let us on this day rededicate ourselves to the principles of democracy, human rights and economic opportunities for all. Let us on this day resolve that we will not accept the perverted logic of the rulers that the country, its resources and economic opportunities belong only to them and their children to the exclusion of the toiling and teeming masses".