On behalf of President Obama and the people of the United States, I am delighted to send best wishes to the people of Pakistan as you celebrate the 65th anniversary of the signing of the Lahore Resolution, which laid the foundation for the creation of Pakistan.

From the Tarbela Dam project that has helped light Pakistan’s growing cities and power its industries, to the founding of the Lahore University of Management Sciences and Karachi’s Institute for Business Administration that have educated so many of your leaders, to the thousands of Pakistanis who were helped by U.S. and Pakistani forces after the devastating earthquake of 2005 and during the floods of 2010 and 2011, Pakistan and the United States have a rich history of cooperation. We are committed to continuing this engagement and support as both of our nations work to build peace and prosperity in Pakistan and the region.

We appreciate the work that all of you – political leaders, teachers, bloggers, Muslim and minority religious leaders, gender activists, business leaders, and journalists – are doing to promote peace and tolerance. As you celebrate this special day with family, friends and loved ones, know that the people of the United States stand with you and we look forward to strengthening our friendship even more in the years to come.