National Day Message by H. E. Mr. Modasar Rashid Chaudhry, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Bulgaria

The people of Pakistan celebrate 23 March as their National Day. It is also known as "Pakistan Day". The day reminds us of the resolve of the Muslims of South Asia which was under occupation and economic deprivation, who on 23 March 1940, made resolve to opt for "freedom" and "democracy" and resist terrorism through peaceful and political means. Seven years after they made this resolve, Pakistan was achieved. 

The founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah prior to achieving liberation for his nation had spelled the foreign policy of Pakistan in a press conference in New Delhi on 14 July 1947; he said that the new state will "will be most friendly to all the nations. We stand for the peace of the world. We will make our contribution whatever we can".

Three days prior to achievement of liberation, on 11 August 1947, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said: "You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed - that has nothing to do with the business of the state."

In a radio broadcast speech in 1948, speaking about Pakistan’s foreign policy, Quaid-e-Azam said: "Our objective should be peace within and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial and friendly relations with our immediate neighbours and with (the) world at large. We have no aggressive designs against any one. We stand by the United Nations Charter and will gladly make our contribution to the peace and prosperity of the world."

Today, Pakistan is a multicultural and multiethnic country which is world’s fifth largest with approximately 254 million people (3 percent of global population) with an area of 800,000 square kilometers. Pakistani flag comprises green color spanning over 3 quarters which represents larger part of Muslims and 1 quarter is white color which represents the Non-Muslim population of the country.

In Pakistan there are thirteen different languages spoken. Islam is the largest religion however there are sizeable number of Christians, Sikhs, Hindus and Buddhists living in Pakistan. There are numerous holy sites related to these religions in Pakistan and every year thousands of pilgrims from Pakistan and abroad visit these sites. 

Pakistan and Bulgaria enjoy friendly and cordial relations. The bilateral relations were established in 1965. The bilateral trade volume is 130 million USD. Pakistan exports garments and home textile, leather products, cutlery, dental and surgical instruments, footballs, Basmati rice, Himalayan (pink) salt, handicraft etc. Bulgarian imports are mainly cereal and grains.

An interesting connection between Pakistan and Bulgaria are a peculiar people in the north west of Pakistan, called "Kailash", who have their own ethnicity, religion and culture; they are said to be linked to the European nations from Balkan region when they accompanied Alexander of Macedon to this region.

Interestingly, the Roma and Gypsy people in Balkan countries and in Bulgaria also came from the areas which are predominantly in Pakistan (i.e. Punjab and Sindh provinces), approximately one thousand years ago, when there were repeated invasion.

The material is provided by the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Bulgaria.

In the photo above: H. E. Mr. Modasar Rashid Chaudhry, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to the Republic of Bulgaria and H. E. Mr. Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria