LAHORE - The Punjab Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that only those nations achieve destinations that work hard with devotion and honesty. He was addressing Independence Day ceremony at Hazoori Bagh on Thursday. Besides, Provincial Ministers, MNAs, MPAs, Nazim Lahore and a large number of citizens attended the function. Shahbaz Sharif said that the citizens have to revive pledge on Independence Day to utilise all energies for the betterment and prosperity of the country. He said that the citizens should start collective efforts to resolve issues confronting the country and the nation to rectify the omissions of 60 years. While congratulating the nation on 61st Independence Day, Shahbaz Sharif said that on this day the nation should make promise that no stone would be left unturned to make Pakistan prosper according to the wishes Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinah. He said that Muslims of the subcontinent migrated and rendered sacrifices with the hope to get rid of the Hindus' slavery, their problems would be minimised, and they would live a free life in their own country where justice and fundamental rights would be given to all without any discrimination. He said that it was painful to see that the situation worsened in Pakistan during the last 61 years. He further said that a huge responsibility rested on the shoulders of the elected representatives to convert deprivations of the people of Pakistan into happiness by working hard with honesty according to the mandate given by the people of Pakistan. He further said that due to the efforts of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and the atomic scientists, Pakistan became a nuclear state. He said that the coalition governments under the dynamic leadership of Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif were working sincerely for the solidarity and prosperity of the country. He questioned that if Japan and Germany, after great devastation, could get the status of developed nations by working hard then why the citizens could not make Pakistan a developed country. He further said that Pakistan has gone to Army dictatorship four times but the loss caused by Pervez Musharaf regime could not be compared with the previous dictators. He said that the nations could not survive without justice and societies without justice could not prosper. He said strong and independent judiciary was necessary for providing justice to people without discrimination. Due to that reason the government has raised salaries of Judges of subordinate courts by 300 per cent so that they could provide justice to the people without economic constraints. He further said that due to this increase, Punjab government would bear additional burden of Rs 1 billion. He further said that for the provision of justice, the government could increase the salaries of Judges up to 500 per cent but no hurdle would be tolerated in the way of providing justice. He told the children who were present in the function that future of Pakistan was in their hands. "You are the custodians of this country. You should utilize all your energies and abilities for the development of this country", he said. Earlier, Chief Minister visited the Mazar of poet of the east and thinker of Pakistan, Allama Muhammad Iqbal. He laid wreath of flowers and offered Fateha. On this occasion, dua was offered for the prosperity and betterment of the country. Later, he hoisted national flag on the Lahore Fort. Two children presented bouquet to the Chief Minister Punjab. A group of children sung national songs.