LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the whole nation while celebrating the 70th Independence Day with full zeal and fervour should go above politics and promote unity, harmony, love and mutual respect.
He said Pakistan is a nuclear power and has the ability to crush enemy casting evil eyes on the country but we should review why the country is still political and economically subjugated. He said if we waste this opportunity and do not wake from slumber then our future generations will not forgive us. He said if we decide as a whole nation to make Pakistan a developed and prosperous country and work hard Pakistan will outshine not only India but developed nations as well in a couple of year. He said but this is not possible with only slogans, speeches and lecturers, but we have to focus on hard work, honesty, sacrifice and transparent accountability.
He said this while talking to reporters at the flag-hoisting ceremony held at the Lahore Fort Monday. He said Pakistan became a nuclear power due to the prayers of the nation, efforts of all governments, struggle of Pakistan army and hard work of scientist and engineers.
He said we should review on this occasion as to why the India premiere was seen in the G20 summit held in Berlin, Germany but no Pakistani leader was visible there, adding if India can be included in G20 then why not Pakistan. He said its reason is that we have ignored Islamic teachings and thoughts of Quaid-e-Azam and Allama Iqbal. He said we should recall the speech of Quaid-e-Azam that was delivered on August 11, 1947 in which the father of the nation described bribery and corruption as poison.
He said even after the passage of 70 years if a mother or a sister dies without getting medicine or medical treatment, if an intelligent child fails to get education due to shortage of resources and if there are heaps of wealth on the one hand and cruelty and poverty on the other hand, then its reason is corruption.
He said the aristocracy of this country has every facility of the life but a large number of people in the plains of Punjab, rocks of Balochistan, valleys of Mehran and snow covered hills of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are deprived of basic facilities and daughters there fear that they will be raped by a beast then its reason will be corruption. He said the aristocracy is responsible for all ills facing the country. He said there are the people who got hefty loans written-off on political basis, there are the people whose corruption scandals are known to everybody and looters of the national resources have damaged foundations of the country.
He said, looters of the national wealth own palaces in Europe, Canada, and Dubai while a poor person desperately needs basic facilities of the life. He said the whole aristocracy class including him is standing in the dock and today we have to answer as to why the aristocracy is able to change its destination for better but the nation is suffering bad luck. He said everybody - whether they are black, white, Sindhi, Balochi, Punjabi, judge, general, trader or bureaucrat - should be given equal opportunity to progress.
He said let’s pray that we will make every possible effort to make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state and eliminate terrorism. He said the whole nation has resolved to continue the war against terrorism till the elimination of the last terrorist.
Earlier, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif hoisted the national flag at the historic Alamgiri Gate of Lahore Fort.The national anthem was played on the occasion and special prayers were offered. The CM visited the mausoleum of National Poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal, laid a wreath at the grave and offered prayers for solidarity and prosperity of the country. He offered special prayers for officers and soldiers of Pakistan Army, police officials and common citizens who had laid down their lives in the war against terrorism.
The chief minister was specially dressed in green shirt for the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Lahore Fort which resembled green colour in the national flag. He joined the scouts and students who were singing national songs. He showed special kindness to the children present on the occasion, paid tribute to the heroes of the Pakistan Movement. Talking to the media, he said the aristocratic class has not played its due role. He said we should offer special prayers for the solidarity and progress of the country. He read out this couplet:
Sajdun Se Tare Kia Hova Sadian Guzar Gain
Dunya Teri Badal De Wo Sajda Talash Kar
He said Pakistan had come into the being to lead the Islamic world, but it did not happen. He said Pakistan can become a great country if we decide to work hard with honesty and determination. He read out these couplets:
Tamanna Abro Ke Hai Agar Gulzar-e-Hasti Mein
Tu Kantu Mein Ulajh Kar Zindagi Karne Ke Khu Karle
Nahi Ye Shane Khuddari Chaman Se Tour Kar Tujhko
Koe Dastar Mein Rakhle Koe Zeeb-e-Gloo Karle
Meanwhile in his message in connection with the Health Week, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that historic increase in the health budget of the province has been made to provide best medical facilities to the people.
He said the improvement in the health sector and provision of best health facilities are the priorities of the government. He said billions of rupees have been spent to improve medical facilities and free medicines of top quality worth billions of rupees are being provided to patients free-of-cost.
The CM said the improvement in the health sector has been witnessed due to result-oriented measures of the Punjab government. He said he is personally monitoring progress on the targets set for the improvement in the health sector.
Also on Monday, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif paid a surprised visit to Manawan Hospital. He inspected various parts of the newly-constructed Manawan Hospital and checked the quality of medical facilities being provided there. He wished happy Independence Day to the hospital administration and doctors.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said the state-of-the-art equipment and modern medical facilities have been provided in the hospital for the latest medical treatment. He directed the administration of the hospital to make it a model for other hospitals. He said Punjab has the credit of setting the trend of international standard hospitals for the poor. He said Recep Tayyip Hospital in Muzzafargarh, Burns Unit in Multan and Shahbaz Sharif Hospital are a few examples where best medical facilities are available for the distressed humanity. He said proving medical facilities to the poor is my mission and he will continue this mission because best medical aid for the poor is his top priority and all measures taken in this direction are result-oriented.
