Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Saturday that those who made all out efforts for saving the lives of innocent victims of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park tragedy and helped the injured with commitment and efficiency were heroes of the nation.
He expressed these views while addressing a function to acknowledge the services of officers of relief agencies, police, administration, other departments, political colleagues, doctors, paramedical staff and nurses in the wake of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park incident here at Model Town.
Provincial Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Bilal Yasin, Adviser on Health Kh. Salman Rafiq, MNAs, MPAs, chief secretary, IG police and other senior officials were also present.
The chief minister said that spirit of service to humanity shown by the administration, police, doctors, surgeons, physicians, nurses, political colleagues, workers, youth and citizens in saving the lives of the injured was highly commendable adding that this is the spirit that make nations.
“There is a need for honesty, hard work, commitment and dedication to resolve problems of terrorism and extremism, and make Pakistan a peaceful and strong country,” he said, asserting that humanitarian spirit shown after Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park tragedy could help in earning respect for the country and building its image in the comity of nations.
Shehbaz Sharif said that this function had been arranged to pay tributes to those who made all out efforts for helping and saving the lives of people injured in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park blast.
These heroes of the nation had set a glorious example of service to humanity and the nation salutes them. By serving the victims of Gulshan Iqbal Park tragedy in the time of distress, these people have earned the blessings of Allah Almighty and also won the hearts of the masses, he said.
He said Allah Almighty would reward them for their good deeds adding that Gulshan Iqbal Park incident was a tragedy that had grieved and shocked the whole nation.
However, he said that by serving the victims of the tragedy, rescue institutions, doctors, nurses, paramedical staff, police, administration and all segments of the society have set a noble example.
He said that immediately after the incident, the way Health Adviser Kh. Salman Rafiq and his team worked with passion and diligence was commendable. A number of precious human lives were saved due to the hard work and dutifulness of doctors, nurses and rescue institutions, he said.
The chief minister said that these people had achieved success in the world hereafter and the mothers, sisters and wives whose loved ones had been saved would always remember them in their prayers.
Shehbaz Sharif said that such moments of crisis change the lives of nations and Pakistani nation had risen up, and through collective efforts, terrorists would be wiped out of the country.
The chief minister said that those who saved precious human lives are the benefactors of the nation, adding that if this spirit and passion was maintained for service to humanity, terrorists and enemies of peace would be rooted out.
He said that there was a need for commitment and all out efforts to deal with the challenge of terrorism, and he believed that Pakistan would be purged of the menace of terrorism and extremism and the destiny of the nation would be changed.
At the end of the function, the chief minister offered Fateha for those who lost their lives in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park tragedy and also prayed for peace and safety of the country.
On this occasion, Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said that peace and law and order was essential for survival of a country and the societies where every individual performed his duties stay forever.
He said that Lahore tragedy was the worst example of cruelty and brutality adding that if the commitment and efficiency displayed by all institutions after this incident was maintained, terrorism would be eliminated and peace would be restored in the society.
Adviser on Health, Kh. Salman Rafiq said that relief agencies and entire society worked actively for saving the lives of the injured and the nation salutes them.
He said that the whole nation was supporting its leadership in the war against terrorism and no effort would be spared for eliminating terrorism.
Kh. Salman Rafiq became tearful while talking about Gulshan Iqbal Park tragedy.
Lahore Division Commissioner Abdullah Khan Sumbal said that administration, police, Rescue-1122, Health Department and other institutions worked very efficiently in difficult situation and the elected representatives also stood by them.
He said that the concerned officers and officials displayed a commendable spirit after this tragic incident.