Jinnah - the Quaid
By the Editor

ALIKE past, with a truthful pledge for a glittering and vibrant vistas to accomplish all the cherished goals—set by the marvelous legend of the 20th century epoch, a fabulous nation, the people of Pakistan observe with enormous reverence on December-25, the 130th birth centenary of an illustrious and spirited soul, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who smashed all manacles of a longed rule by aliens—by changing the Atlas of the world to get indexed a sovereign homeland for the Muslims of South Asia—to live-on with dignity and honour till time without end.

As adapted, manifold assemblage and ceremonies take place around the globe, wherever Pakistanis dwell with an imposing and inspiring event at the Mazar [Mausoleum] of the great Quaid in Karachi—atop to mark the day with veneration.

The day is observed every year with the objective to spotlight singular aspects of the life and achievements of the Quaid-i-Azam with a zest to promote the real essence of the Pakistan Movement. Yet, in view of the peculiar situation, being faced by the Ummah [Muslim World]—of which Pakistan is a herald, the commemoration of the day has assumed special significance.

Of-late, whereas the death anniversary of the Quaid has started coinciding with that of Nine/Eleven episode, which by all perceptions diverted the course of history especially for the Muslims—the world-over, whereby they are facing a lot of perils even to the magnitude of their very survival at the hands of the West, the birthday of the great leader comes on a fêted day—the Christmas, which, by all perceptions requires a change—in a harmonious and positive way—by Christian community towards Muslims to promote inter-faith harmony, very much needed to ensure global peace and tranquility.

Yet, paradoxically this bona fide dream is yet to get translated into reality—prima facie only due to arrogance by a cluster of radicals—who exist in almost every faith—irrespective of one’s colour, cast, creed or credo.

To achieve this paramount need, all those, who are hostile towards Islam shall have to discard all types of prejudices and discriminations—if at all they are sincere to see this world—tranquil, at least for the innocent generations around-the-globe.

Keeping in view, the teachings of Islam, this is what the great Quaid of Pakistan conveyed to the nation for promotion of peace, everywhere they live-on and to instill this message amongst the societies for the eventual good of every-one.

Since, one can’t clap with one-hand, I feel optimistic that peoples of all other faiths—explicitly our brethren in Christians belief shall reciprocate to this sane vision with an overt pledge—on the eve of the Christmas of the new epoch—the fresh Millennium

At home, we have Muslim League in power, a party on the platform of which the Muslims of subcontinent gathered and achieved their goal of an independent and sovereign Pakistan under the powerful leadership of Quaid-i-Azam.

Amid the changing scenarios—wherein Pakistan is gaining admiration for its fabulous accomplishments in diverse arenas, the nation has exclusive expectations from the PML [Q] and this day is, thus, an occasion to recollect as to what was the down-to-earth vision of the Quaid about Pakistan.

Have we made any endeavour to realize that? It is an established fact that the death of the founder of Pakistan—in the second year of our independence—left a hefty vacuum that could not be filled despite passage of more than half-a-century. During the early and complex months of Pakistan’s emergence, the Quaid undertook a countrywide tour aimed at building confidence and raising spirit of the people.

In his speech at historic city of Lahore, he urged people to “Save the honour of Pakistan and Islam. Do your duty and have faith in Pakistan. It has come to stay”.

Unfortunately, we lost faith in ourselves and lost one vital wing of the country. Pakistan’s honour is also at stake because of the bigoted approach of some elements who are trying to sow seeds of hatred and chaos in the lovely homeland—Pakistan.

Again, the Quaid emphasized the need to root out the evil of nepotism and jobbery but today—ironically—merit is a disqualifier, a handicap and certainly not an asset with any interpretation.

Pakistan came into being on the basis of ‘our own distinctive culture and civilization, language and literature, art and architecture, sense of values and proportion, legal laws and moral codes….’ but all this is faced with perils due to well-familiar reasons, including the onslaught of foreign culture and our inability to counter it well effectively.

There is, therefore, need to strengthen our identity—and for this rationale special responsibilities devolve on the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Education and Religious Affairs to take strenuous steps—to make every citizen a proud Pakistani.

We ought to search our souls to analyze if at all we have done our duty in line with aspires of the great leader, who is much adored even beyond oceanic.

Everyone knows that the splendid gift, the Quaid gave us on August-14 in 1947—is as greatest and precious—as was the vision of the great legend—Mr. Jinnah.

Hence the day is idolized every year by bowing before Allah Almighty, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful, Who blessed the Muslims of South Asia with a unique souvenir—filled with fragrance bouquet to breathe in environs of freedom, absolutely free from any coercion or ascendancy of a Martian character.

While paying rich tributes to the marvelous cerebral of the previous century, the great leader of the Muslims, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who got translated a taxing dream into a reality within a short span of a few years, every son and daughter of the soil, irrespective of ones’ faith, age or gender—is ought to pledge in a crystal clear style that each one of them shall do their level best to shield like a hard-rock, the sovereignty, integrity and affluence of the dazzling realm of Pakistan by offering any sacrifice, whatever its scale and size may be.

On the memorable day, with the great Quaid—atop, the people of Pakistan pay homage to all the faithful, who embraced martyrdom at the hands of fanatics and belligerents during the process of migration to Pakistan.

While rejoicing the fruits of liberty, as a pragmatic view, we have yet to clutch the lofty level of unity, faith and disciple—a magnificent icon of trust which was zestfully beamed by the Father of the Nation—in the pre-dawn hours, over six decades ago.

Analyzing the overall situation, the fact which surfaces is that we are still engaged in superfluous scuffles, pre-dominantly marked of egocentricity and narcissism. Not only in a way we lack a political acumen, our institutions are also confronting an impediment in their swift augmentation.

Obviously due to political volatility, as by and large each one, irrespective of its egalitarian stature aspires to reach the corridors of power—even, to some extent by placing the national interests at risk and stake.

Needless to elucidate, every realistic and patriotic soul is fully awake with angst of the posture, of the democratic Government versus the Opposition and vice versa. It is an apposite time to evaluate the candid raison d’être which shaped a podium of our freedom from a prolonged British rule and hegemony.

Its all the more necessary due to the antagonistic mindset of our neighbour—India, which is though airing the messages of love and peace now-a-days has in fact not acknowledged the very creation of a remarkable country—Pakistan by heart.

It is apparent from the veracity that on the one hand, New Delhi portrays its’ delight for adore through exchange of delegations, yet at the same time eschews with one ploy or the other—the lucid approach of amity and harmony via the process of summit-level dialogue to solve all the issues with Kashmir dispute—as the foremost, as it has been and shall continue to stay so as—the root cause of irritants in ties between the two nuke-neighbours.

With such a pugnacious and truculent attitude, India has by now fought three wars with Pakistan, which eventually proved nothing except a worldwide loathing for New Delhi. By all parameters of realism India’s hostilities towards Pakistan persist un-abated.

The only way-out to thwart every wicked eye thus rests with full unity alone—more explicitly in the ranks of our politicians, who are well-acquainted with the events cataloged in to folio of the history of South Asia. They are ought to reflect the aspirations of their electorates in place of their own peculiar outlook, based on odd aspirations and wishes.

While celebrating the 130th birthday of the great Quaid, we zealously hope that the nation shall not be disillusioned by its elected—or to be elected—representatives in any way, who have all intellects—backed by potentials in sketching a distinction between a friend and foe.

And would opt for a concord—at this point in time—instead of depicting idols of skirmishes in any cute and crafty style. Everyone knows that we have to go only for the superb and splendid ideology of Pakistan come-what-may, as this is the only spring and helix of inspiration and strength for all who deem precious pretty Pakistan as a sparkling abode.

At the same time, we have to keep in mind the plight of our brethren in India held-Kashmir, who are heroically engaged in an unprecedented heroic resist to make the invaders of a part of the Himalayan State—the Indians—Quit their sacred soil, at-once.

The gallant Kashmiris are in fact adding a new charismatic chapter in their history of struggle to seek their bona fide right of self-determination, as has—time and again—been envisaged in the UN resolutions on Kashmir as well as in the charter of the world body.

The hideous and gruesome state of bloodbath, unleashed by the armed Indian intruders is, eventually ought to reach an eternal end. The supreme sacrifices, being made by Kashmiris shall in no way go in vain as the sunrise—with a point of their freedom from the Indian yoke is about to materialize.●