ISLAMABAD: Felicitating the nation on completing 70 years of independence, former president Asif Ali Zardari on Monday asked the people to re-dedicate themselves to the twin ideals of democracy and people’s welfare for which Pakistan was created. “Amid celebrations today, we should not be unmindful of the threats to the basic values on which our nationhood was founded. “Let us also on this day reiterate our total rejection of the attempts by some to turn Pakistan into a theocratic state by proclaiming loudly and clearly that Pakistan was never meant to be nor will be allowed to degenerate into a theocratic state,” he said. “Welfare of the people must always be our priority. The security of the country will be enhanced, not undermined, if the state focuses on welfare of the people,” he said. “On this occasion, we pay homage to the countless people who sacrificed their lives and endured hardships to make the dream of Pakistan come true,” he said. “Our thoughts also go out to those who have laid down their lives and suffered grievously in fighting militancy and for the cause of democracy and rule of law. They all are our national heroes and heroines,” he said. Published in Daily Times, August 15th 2017.