LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif Tuesday inaugurated the National History Museum set up at the Greater Iqbal Park.
Speaking on the occasion, the chief minister said that the National History Museum is a wonderful project of national importance which has beautifully revived the history of Pakistan and will also attract a large number of tourists. The basic concept of freedom, freedom struggle and the initial phase of establishment of Pakistan have been beautifully depicted at the museum, he added.
Shehbaz appreciated the project and said the museum established in the park is of international standard which has revived the whole memory of struggle for creation of Pakistan.
“Greater Iqbal Park is the historical place where resolution for the establishment of Pakistan was approved in 1940 and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah formally launched the Pakistan Movement after it. People from across the sub-continent, including Muslim and non-Muslim scholars, lawyers, labourers, players, poets as well as the womenfolk gathered here on March 23, 1940. People also came from such remote areas which could have never become a part of Pakistan. People sacrificed their lives and property for the sake of a new country of their own. Lakhs of people migrated to Pakistan after leaving their businesses, properties and households behind. They went through painful miseries of traveling for a new homeland. National History Museum is a reminder of all this arduous human struggle,” he said.
“Allama Iqbal wrote letters to Quaid-e-Azam to move the struggle for Pakistan forward in a forceful manner. After visiting the museum, the people would realize that we have achieved this piece of land after going through rivers of blood and toil. Lakhs of people came to Pakistan with a dream of new life and they sacrificed their loved-ones for materializing this dream,” he added.
The chief minister said that Pakistan is the greatest bounty of Almighty Allah. “70 years have passed now. We should ask ourselves that how much objectives of creation of Pakistan have been fulfilled. This question should be judged honestly and in a transparent manner because nations are formed through hard work. If we hold our transparent accountability today, then we will come to the conclusion that destination is still far away. There are plenty of people who worked hard for national development while many others have ruined this country. Many people have worked hard and there are a number of people who have wasted the time. But we should move forward by learning from it,” he said.
“Brick and mortar don’t create new worlds but progress can be made by promoting science and technology and information technology. America is a global super power. Europe is also touching heights of development, while China has emerged as the second economic power in the world. The secret of their progress lies in promotion of latest technology, provision of socio-economic justice and hard work. Pakistan has the ability to move forward as a major chunk of population is based on youth which is an engine of development. Time would come when Pakistan will achieve a respectable place in the comity of nations,” he said.
“NAB is an institution for accountability which has to play its role. If you will work hard, you will get appreciation from everyone. If you do not work hard, you will lose. If we work hard, we can change the course of history and Pakistan will emerge as a great power,” the chief minister said.
Later, he planted a tree there and visited the museum where he paid rich tributes to heroes of the Pakistan Movement.
Published in Daily Times, April 18th 2018.