ISLAMABAD: Felicitating the nation on the 70th Independence Day, former president Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday asked the people to bear in mind 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, the former president said. “Let us also on this day reiterate our total rejection of attempts by some to turn Pakistan into a theocratic state. Let us proclaim loudly and clearly that Pakistan was never meant to be nor will be allowed to degenerate into a theocratic state,” he said in a message on the occasion. He added, “Welfare of the people must always be upper most in our minds, he said, adding, “Security of the country will be enhanced, not undermined if the state focused on welfare of the people”. He also paid homage to the countless people who sacrificed their lives and endured hardships to make the dream of Pakistan come true.