Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani Thursday urged unity of the country to face the challenges ahead.

In a message delivered to the nation on the Independence Day by the official Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Musharraf has stressed the need for tolerance and forbearance for the successful working of democracy and urged the nation to strive together for making the country a truly modern, dynamic, progressive and democratic Islamic state.

"We must let petty differences be subordinated to higher values of life and strive together for making Pakistan a truly modern, dynamic, progressive and democratic Islamic state in accordance with the ideals of our founder," Musharraf said.

"Pakistan is passing through a difficult phase of its history as in the prevailing geo-political and economic situation, our adversaries are trying to destabilize Pakistan from several fronts, internal as well external," said Musharraf in the message.

Addressing the flag-hoisting ceremony on the occasion of the 62nd independence day at the Jinnah Convention Center here this morning, Gilani said it was time to ensure supremacy of public power through their representatives and work for unity and integrity of the country with an objective to fulfill the vision of our forefathers who wanted to see Pakistan free from prejudices and make it a peaceful place.

Gillani pointed out that the country was passing through a difficult time and facing major challenges of extremism and terrorism, price hike, unemployment and power crisis for which the government was committed to overcome with the help of the people.

Pakistan's independence day is observed on August 14, the day on which Pakistan became independent from the British rule in 1947.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2008)