LAHORE – Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif after visiting the Mazar-i-Iqbal on Friday said that the county was going through a critical phase and the nation should act upon the ideas of the great philosopher while focusing on national unity.
On the Iqbal Day the CM laid a wreath of flowers, offered Fateha, and prayed for the solidarity, progress and prosperity of the country. He also recorded his impressions regarding the national services of Allama Iqbal in the visitors’ book.
When Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif reached Mazar-i-Iqbal he was wearing Jinnah Cap.
Tunes of national songs were being played by a band at Mazar-i-Iqbal while different posters and flexes depicting the poetry of Allama Iqbal were displayed at various places. A contingent of Navy presented salute to the Chief Minister. After offering Fateha at Mazar-i-Iqbal, the Chief Minister recorded his impressions in the visitors’ book. He wrote, “It is our collective responsibility and an honour for us to pay homage to the great poet and philosopher. I renew my pledge that I will make all out efforts to act upon the principles of Allama Iqbal and Pakistan will be transformed into the Pakistan of Iqbal”.
Replying to media queries, the CM said that it was his firm faith that the Pakistani nation was quite capable of solving problems without looking at anyone else but for that an honest, capable and committed leadership, which can work around the clock to achieve the targets of national development, was the utmost requirement.
He said that though the time was passing fast yet decisions made only in view of national interest, setting aside personal considerations, can build the Pakistan. He said that presently Pakistan was divided into the rich and the poor where the rich enjoy all privileges while even justice is denied to the poor.
He said that there was a need to bridge the widening gulf between the poor and the rich. He said that there was still time to rectify the wrong and give precedence to the national interests otherwise it would be too late. The Chief Minister further said that Pakistan was a bold, courageous and hardworking nation who remained steadfast in every hour of trial.
 He said that he was confident that Pakistan could be made a strong  country by acting upon the message of Iqbal who  awakened the Muslims of the subcontinent and gave the idea of a separate homel for them.