LAHORE - Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust Chairman Muhammad RafiqueTarar said yesterday that late Mahmud Ali considered the two-nation theory essential for the survival of Pakistan.

“He never accepted the forced separation of East Pakistan and spent the remainder of his life struggling for re-unification of the two wings,” said the former president.

Rafique Tarar expressed these views during his presidential address at a special sitting on the 10th death anniversary of the Pakistan Movement worker, founding president of the Tehreek-i-Takmeel-i-Pakistan and former Federal Minister of the Government of Pakistan late Mahmud Ali.

The sitting was jointly organised by the Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust and Pakistan Movement Workers Trust at the Aiwan-i-Karkunan-i-Tehreek-i-Pakistan, Lahore. The attendees included Chief Justice (r) Mian Mahboob Ahmad, Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust Vice Chairman Prof Dr Rafique Ahmad, Muhammad Arshad Choudhry,Begum Mehnaz Rafi, Malik Ghulam Rabbani Awan, Begum Safia Ishaq, Maulana Muhammad Shafi Josh, Rana Tariq Mehmood, Ch Sultan Mehmood, Naveed Choudhry, MK Anwar Baghdadi, Ch. GhulamSarwar and a large number of teachers, students and people from various walks of life.

Tarar further observed that Mahmud Ali was a highly patriotic person. “A united Pakistan was his dream. He devoted his life to the fulfillment of this dream. May Allah give us the strength to struggle for the completion of Pakistan,” he prayed.

Dr Rafique Ahmad observed that Bengal was a great centre of the Pakistan Movement. “Bangladesh has retained its Islamic identity in spite of its separation from Pakistan. Having expansionist designs, India wants Bangladesh to be its part. Our media must give proper coverage to the news from Bangladesh.”

Muhammad Arshad Choudhry observed that late Mahmud Ali played a key role in the success of Sylhet referendum. “Sylhet was part of Assam and joined Pakistan due to Ali’s efforts,” he said at the sitting.

Begum Mehnaz Rafi observed that Mahmud Ali was a great champion of the cause of a united Pakistan.

Malik Ghulam Rabbani Awan observed that Mahmud Ali was a torch-bearer of the two-nation theory. When Bengladesh came into being, he migrated to Pakistan and founded the Tehreek-i-Takmeel-i-Pakistan devoting the rest of his life to this noble cause, Awan added.

Naveed Choudhry observed that Mahmud Ali was a true follower of the Quaid-i-Azam and followed his advice in letter and spirit. “He wanted Bangladesh to be part of Pakistan again.”

Maulana Muhammad Shafi Josh observed that late Mahmud Ali stood for the unity of Muslim world. He worked for the stability of Pakistan all through his life, Josh added.