“Mr. President and Members of the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, I have a message from His Majesty the King to deliver to you today. This is His Majesty’s message: I send you my greetings and warmest wishes on this great occasion when the new Dominion of Pakistan is about to take its place in the British Commonwealth of Nations. In thus achieving your independence by agreement, you have set an example to all freedom loving people throughout the world…”

[The Viceroy added after the King’s message:] I am speaking to you today as the Viceroy. Tomorrow the government of the new Dominion of Pakistan will rest in your hands… Now the time has come to bid you farewell on behalf of His Majesty’s Government; on behalf of my country; on behalf of myself; also on behalf of my wife, whose thoughts and prayers will be so much with the women of Pakistan. This is a parting between friends, who have learned to honor and respect one another even in disagreement. This is not an absolute parting, I rejoice to think, not an end of comradeship. Many of my countrymen for generations have been born in this country, many lived their lives in this country, and many have died here. Some will remain for trade and commerce here and others in Government service and in the armed forces, who count it an honour that they have been invited to serve you… May Pakistan prosper always. May her citizens be blessed with health and happiness; may learning and arts of peace flourish in her boundaries, and may she continue in friendship with her neighbours and with all nations of the world.”

Peace Within and Peace Without

“It is with feelings of greatest happiness and emotion that I send you my greetings. August 15 is the birthday of the independent and sovereign State of Pakistan. It marks the fulfillment of the destiny of the Muslim nation which made great sacrifices in the past few years to have its homeland…

“The creation of a new State has placed a tremendous responsibility on the citizens of Pakistan. It gives them an opportunity to demonstrate to the world how can a nation, containing many elements, live in peace and amity and work for the betterment of all its citizens, irrespective of cast or creed. Our object 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…”