Punjab Caretaker Chief Minister, Dr. Hasan Askari stressed on Tuesday that the teachings of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Muhammad Iqbal should always be followed and that the founders of the country got a separate homeland with their historic and unforgettable struggle so that we could live here freely. While addressing the Independence Day ceremony at Hazoori Bagh, Askari congratulated the nation on the Independence Day and said that the country could progress only by improving the education system, and investing in research and information technology. Talking about the role of Jinnah and Iqbal, he said that Iqbal not only presented the idea of a separate homeland in 1930 but also wrote letters to the former in 1936 and 1937 urging him to take the lead-role in the struggle for the separate country. Iqbal wanted the democratic system to be based on the golden principles of Islam and Jinnah talked about a kind of democracy where everyone would have equal rights, he added. He said that we should not forget those who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for Pakistan and social justice and equality should prevail in the country. He maintained, “we could only devise the future course of action if only we understand the real objectives of the creation of Pakistan.” He urged the nation to reflect on reasons why the country was formed and ‘what we did in return for this country’. He said that the first step of the struggle was completed in 1947 while the next step of the struggle was still going on to get strong and prosperous Pakistan. It was binding on us to strive for public welfare by facilitating social justice and equality and it was the message of the founding fathers, he added. The golden principles of Islam would only be implemented in the real sense when social justice and equality would be promoted in the society, concluded the chief minister. Earlier, Mayor Mubashir Javed welcomed Askari to the ceremony. The Chief Minister hoisted the national flag at the historic Alamgiri Gate of Lahore Fort before addressing the ceremony, which was also attended by different government officials, ministers, students and diplomats of different countries like China, Turkey and Iran. After the flag hoisting ceremony, national anthem was sung and special prayers were offered for the country Askari also visited the mausoleum of Muhammad Iqbal. He laid a floral wreath on the tomb and prayed for the country. He also wrote comments in the visitors’ book kept at the mausoleum. He penned down, “I congratulate the nation on this Independence Day and express my good wishes. The poetry of Allama Iqbal influenced the Muslims of the subcontinent and it resulted in the creation of Pakistan.” Published in Daily Times, August 15th 2018.