The Vision of Pakistan

"It is wrong not to lay the lessons of the pastessence of religion Islam is quite open to accept
before the future."the modern advancements. Indeed, his greatest
[Winston Churchill: The Gathering Storm]conviction lies in his call upon Muslims to undertake
The association of Pakistan with the countriesreconstruction of Islam and Islamic values in the
lying to its West has a long history, reminiscenceslight of modern times in a way that shows it to
of which can still be seen in Pakistan's national lifebe a forward-looking religion that promises to
today. Due to these influences, it so happenedserve as a force for good in the world at large.
that a distinct nation emerged within theLike Jinnah he considered democratic system
sub-continent that continued to live without adrawn in lines with Islamic principles closest to an
name for centuries, and took to be referred as aideal Islamic state as European democracy could
religious minority. Hence, when the name ofnot be applicable without recognizing the fact of
'Pakistan'1 was allotted to this un-named nationcommunal groups. He advocated a common
(the areas where Muslims were in majority) andground between tradition and modernity; and
when after the process of self-discovery andimpressed upon the Muslims on the necessity of
self-realization the Muslims realized that they wereinner change by seeking self-realization and action.
indeed a 'nation according to any definition'Like Jinnah and Iqbal, another person who held
belonging to a 'different religious philosophies, socialstrong influence on the Muslims of subcontinent
customs, literatures and civilization'. Then, thewas Sir Syed Ahmed Khan who was the earliest
reserve formed due to lack of name, deceptiveexponent of Muslim Nationalism and made
phrases like minority, and the unjust attitudeconsiderable efforts to rehabilitate the Muslims
during atrocious Congress2 rule 3,4 ceased to beimmediately after 1857 rebellion11 in the fields of
a reserve anymore, and the nation envisaged theeducation, religion, social life and politics.
possibility of creating a country for themselvesTrue, that the birth of Pakistan was triggered by
where they could 'develop to the fullest theirfactors like political, religious, economic and cultural,
spiritual, cultural, economic, social and political life'.but had it not been for the will of people, the
So, triggered by the Islamic morals and led byvision of Pakistan could never be realized. Nations
their 'Quaid-e-Azam'5 Mohammad Ali Jinnah,6can only come into existence if they possess
Muslims of India marched to their destiny ofcourage to achieve their purpose. And if a nation
sovereign status and won the battle for Pakistanfails to produce a person with marked leadership
not with an army but with the power of wordsabilities their courage could prove futile. Muslims
written with their determination.were fortunate to have such leaders in the
It was Jinnah who guided his people to the causepersons like Jinnah, Sir Syed, Iqbal, Ali Brothers
of the freedom. It was Jinnah who stood(Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar & Maulana
steadfast for the rights of Muslims of India. And itShaukat Ali Jauhar) and Liaquat Ali Khan during the
was indeed Jinnah who led his devoted followersstruggle for Pakistan. These leaders were
to victory. And all of this with in a decade. It couldresponsible in creating consciousness among
only have been his utmost devotion and faith inMuslim masses for the realization of their vision of
the cause of his dream - the realization of whichPakistan and for Muslims they were glimmers of
was thought to be impossible, carried by hishope in the era of disappointments and deceits. All
strong willful character, which led him to carve outthese leaders had the same idea of the type of
a nation out of a subjugated minority andstate they wanted to establish in the name of
establish a cultural and national home for it. HePakistan. Where Iqbal sought a modernized
brought millions of Muslims together on a platformcountry relying on the principles of Quran
against the two adversaries, each of them farinterpreted from a fresh angle. Likewise Sir Syed
stronger then himself and his community, andand other leaders also encouraged Muslims to
allied in their opposition to the creation of Pakistan.seek Western knowledge and mould themselves
Could it have been easy for a man who lived aaccording to the modern advancements to keep
life deemed modern by the people he wasup with the world yet remaining within the limits
struggling for? How could such a man who studiedlaid by Islam. Perhaps Jinnah best represented the
at London, dressed mostly in the latestconcept of the state of Pakistan envisaged by
English-style suits7 (before 1937), spoke a foreignthese leaders and their followers in his own words
language (English) which most of the Muslimas 'Let us lay the foundation of our democracy
masses who flocked to listen to his speecheson the basis of truly Islamic ideals and principles'.
couldn't even understand and married8 out of hisThe vision of Pakistan does not only lies in history
religion (Parsi), managed to weld the highlybut it also forms a part of our national life.
conventional Muslims under his banner of separateCrescent and star on the national flag is an Islamic
Pakistan at the age of sixty-four (in 1940)? Hesymbol signifying progress, enlightenment and
could not have done it unless he staunchlyknowledge. Even the national anthem reflects
believed that the Islamic values of the communityJinnah's vision of Pakistan aspiring for a destiny
he was supporting were in consonance withthat is strong and shining, a land that is pure,
progress and modernity, which he practiced.resolve, leading the way to progress and
Jinnah's forty-four (1904-48) years public politicalperfection, glorifying the past and present.
life justifies that he was the most westernizedNotes:
political leader of Muslims. No Muslim political leader1. Chaudhary Rahmat Ali, while a student at
of his time could equal him in terms of modernityCambridge University issued a pamphlet in 1933
and a modern outlook. He believed in moderation,entitled 'Now or Never' supporting the idea of
ordered progress, democratic norms, Islamicpartition of India and suggesting a name of
ideals, integrity, dedication, honesty and hard work.'Pakistan-meaning land of pure' for the separate
These were the core values he was committedMuslim nation. According to him, the word Pakistan
to throughout his political career; these formedwas composed in the following manner: Punjab,
the part of his personality and these he aspired toAfghania (North-West Frontier Province), Kashmir,
see in his country.Iran, Sindh (including Karachi and Kathiawar),
Jinnah had a very clear and a straightforward ideaTukharistan, Afghanistan, and BalochistaN.
about the system of Government he wanted in2. Indian National Congress was the political party
Pakistan. He wanted to make Pakistan a realrepresenting the Hindus of India. It was formed in
Islamic State through democratic process stating1885 by Allan Octavian Hume, a retired British
that the 'constitution of Pakistan would be of aOfficial.
democratic type, embodying the essential3. The British Government announced to hold
principles of Islam' as 'Islam and its idealism haveelections to the provincial legislatives assemblies in
taught democracy'. 'Pakistan is not going to be a1936-37. Congress got clear majority and as a
theocratic state to be ruled by priests with aresult Congress ministries were sworn in.
divine mission as there were many non-Muslims inCongress rule was extremely crucial in the history
Pakistan who would share equal rights andof Hindu-Muslim relations as it fully projected Hindu
privileges as other citizens'. 'Religion, caste orracism and anti-Muslim policies.
creed will have nothing to do with the affairs of4. Jinnah during a Presidential address at Patna in
the state' for Islam teaches, equality, justice and1938 of a session of Muslim League spoke in detail
fair play for everybody.about the attitude of Congress during its rule to
It may be noted here that, by democracy, Jinnahprove that the party is not a national body of
never meant Western system of democracy, butIndia.
a sort of Islamic democracy which is at home5. Quaid-e-Azam means Great Leader. The title
with Muslims' ethics, aspirations, values and codewas given to Jinnah in 1938 during the Muslim
of morality as the state which he founded wasLeague's session at Patna by Mian Feroz-ud-Din
inhabited by people of various races andAhmad, the Municipal Councilor of Lahore.
ethnicities, religions and castes, so a purely6. Mohammad Ali Jinnah was born on 25th
western style of democracy could never suitDecember 1876 in Karachi. He was an eminent
here. Jinnah wanted to see Pakistan anlawyer, a practical politician, a gifted orator, a
embodiment of progressive, modern, dynamic andsound statesman and the architect of the nation
forward-looking Islam. Same were the qualities heof Pakistan. He joined Muslim League in 1913 that
sought in the nation of his State. He envisioned alater strengthened the Muslims struggle for
nation that is open-minded with high social andfreedom. He died in 1948 only a year after he
moral ethics and highest aims in economic growth,created Pakistan.
national solidarity and education. Jinnah said that7. It was the first time in the December of 1937
there were three main pillars, which go in makingat Lacknow that Jinnah made a public appearance
a nation worthy: education, economic and industrialdressed in sherwani or achkan, tight pajamas and
strength, and defence. His famous slogan of Unity,his trademark karakuli cap. Source: india-today.com
Faith and Discipline were designed precisely toitoday/millennium/100people/jinnah.html
appeal to the Muslims sense of national solidarity.8. Jinnah married Ruttie (Ruttan Bai), the only
Jinnah rejected western capitalist economicdaughter of Bombay Parsi industrialist, Sir Dinshaw
system and emphasized on an economic systemPetit in 1918 in Bombay.
based on the concepts of equality and social9. Muhammad Iqbal was born in 1877 at Sialkot.
justice. He believed that Pakistan was blessed withHe was a prominent poet, philosopher, scholar,
enormous economic resources and potentials andlawyer, politician and above all the ideologue of
it is for the people to make best use of them.Pakistan. Iqbal is the National Poet of Pakistan. He
Laying his importance on national consolidation hedied in 1938.
urged the nation to 'work in co-operation,10. All India Muslim League was the political party
forgetting the past' and called provincialism arepresenting the Muslims of India. It was formed
'poison' considering it one of the barrier towardsin 1906 by Nawab Salim Ullah Khan and Nawab
the progress and development of a nation. HeViquar-ul-Mulk.
emphasized the necessity of educating the nation11. In May 1857, Indian natives rose in rebellion
in 'scientific and technical education in order to buildagainst the Britishers and marched towards Delhi.
up future economic life' so Pakistan couldBahadur Shah-II was made the emperor. But the
'compete with the world'. He envisioned theliberation forces were defeated and Delhi was
national character of Pakistan built on 'highestoccupied. This rebellion is recorded in history as
sense of honor, integrity, selfless services to theWar of Independence 1857. The war ended in
nation, and sense of responsibility' and 'fully1858 and brought calamity for the Muslims. As the
equipped to play a part in the various branches ofEnglish launched a mass scale campaign of
economic life'.atrocities against the natives especially Muslims
But Jinnah was not the only Muslim leader ofwho they held responsible for the uprising.
United India who exercised deep influence overReferences:
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