Minar-i-Pakistan a symbol of Muslims' struggle

LAHORE - Eminent worker of Pakistan Movement and Vice-Chairman, Nazaria Pakistan Trust Prof Dr Rafique Ahmad has said that Minar-e-Pakistan is a glorious symbol of Muslims struggle for their independence, which was built on the same place where Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s chair was placed on the historic occasion of March 23, 1940.
He was addressing young scholars while visiting Minar-e-Pakistan, Badshahi Mosque, Allama Iqbal tomb and Lahore Museum on the 23rd day of Nazariati Summer School here on Saturday at Aiwan-e-Karkunan Tehrik-e-Pakistan held under the auspices of Nazaria Pakistan Trust. He said historic Pakistan Resolution determined the path of a separate homeland for Muslims of the sub-continent where they could lead their lives according to their religion. After hectic struggle, they achieved their target on 14th August, 1947. He said this was exactly the same place where historic Lahore Resolution was passed which afterward known to be ‘Pakistan Resolution’.
Earlier this ground was called Minto Park on the name of an Englishman Lord Minto who planned and constructed it.
Dr Rafique said his house was not too far from Minto Park, so he with his friends used to go to Badshahi Mosque for Fajr prayer and morning walk.
He said those days, when he was studying in ninth class in Islamia High School Bhati Gate, he learnt it by reading newspapers namely Zamindar and Ehsan that a gigantic meeting was being held in Minto Park where all famous Muslim leaders from all over India would gather at this place on 23 March.