LAHORE - Following in the footsteps of Madar-i-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, the young generation should employ all efforts to transform Pakistan into a modern Islamic, democratic and welfare state. Chairman Nazria-i-Pakistan Trust and Editor-in-Chief Nawa-i-Waqt Majid Nizami said this on Saturday while addressing a function held at Aiwan-e-Karkunan Tehrik-i-Pakistan to observe 44th death anniversary of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah. The programme was organised by Nazria-i-Pakistan Trust in collaboration with Tehrik-i-Pakistan Workers Trust. Dr Rafique Ahmed, vice chairman Nazria-i-Pakistan Trust, Begum Mehnaz Rafi, Trust convener (women wing), Ahmed Waleed Iqbal advocate, Senator Naeem Hussain Chattha, Rafaqat Riaz, secretary Tehrik-i-Pakistan Workers Trust, Dr MA Sufi, Dr Parveen Khan, Allama Ahmed Ali Kasuri, Anwar Hussain Qadri, Sardar Shuja-ud-Din, members of the Trust and a large number of other people belonging to various walks of life besides the students of Ideological Summer School and their parents attended the function. Majid Nizami said Madar-i-Millat rendered great sacrifices for the Movement Pakistan and democracy which were 'golden chapters of our history. She was one of the members of Pakistan Movement who created separate homeland for the Muslims, as she assisted and looked Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah at every stage, Nizami said. Without the efforts of Fatima Jinnah, the dream of getting a separate homeland would not have been possible, he said, adding she played a major role in making his brother a great leader. Majid Nizami said that on the request of opposition Fatima Jinnah contested presidential polls against self-proclaimed field marshal Ayub Khan, however, the dictatorial regime manoeuvred victory for the dictator through massive rigging. Madar-i-Millat made many tours to all parts of the country during her election campaign, he said, adding during her stay at late Mian Bashir Ahmeds residence in Lahore, he personally met her and told her that Nawa-i-Waqt would fully support her. Some government quarters threatened him and stopped the advertisements of the paper but he backed Fatima Jinnah through the pages of Nawa-i-Waqt, Nizami said. He said Ayub Khan sent him a message through his foreign minister Manzur Qadir to meet him (Ayub Khan). When he met Ayub Khan, he accepted his blunders, Nizami said, adding: I replied him that you have accepted all your mistakes after you are no more in power. Addressing on the occasion, Dr Rafique Ahmed said Madar-i-Millat was founder of the first movement against dictators in Pakistan, while Nawa-i-Waqt was the first newspaper that published news against the dictatorship. Madar-i-Millat wanted to see Pakistan a democratic state, he said, adding she considered India as an enemy of Pakistan and made all out efforts to thwart the nefarious designs of the neighbouring country. Fatima Jinnah advocated the rights of women and laid great stress on the education of children, Dr Rafique said. Begum Mehnaz Rafi said Fatima Jinnah had prepared the women for taking part in the Pakistan Movement. We are living in an independent environment only due to the struggle and dynamic leadership of Quaid-i-Azam and Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah. Waleed Iqbal advocate also paid a rich tribute to Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah. On this occasion, two girl students of Ideological Summer School portraying as Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah presented bouquets to Majid Nizami. At the end, special prayers were offered for Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, Quaid-i-Azam and other heroes of the Pakistan Movement.