Every year on August 14, the nation commemorates the country’s independence from British colonial rule in 1947. This year marks the 73rd anniversary of Pakistan’s independence from British rule.
The day was dawn with twenty on gun salute in the provincial capital while special prayers were offered for progress and prosperity of the country. The flag hoisting ceremonies were also held in different cities.
Public and private buildings as well as streets and markets have been profusely illuminated and decorated with national flags, portraits of founding fathers and posters.
In 1947, Pakistan freed itself from British rule and became a sovereign state. This was punctuated by a mass migration of Muslims from India to Pakistan, and Hindus from Pakistan to India.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan and the leader of the All-India Muslim League from 1913 until Pakistan’s creation on 14 August 1947, became Pakistan’s first Governor-General until his death a year later.
The Muslims launched innumerable movements against the British occupation of the Indian subcontinent but the dream of establishing Pakistan came true under the great leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Today we are breathing in a free atmosphere. Freedom is a great blessing of God, the value of freedom is well known to those who are still living in slavery.
Aims and objective of creation of Pakistan
The idea of Pakistan was based on the fact that Muslims were a separate nation having their own culture, civilization, customs, literature, religion and way of life.
Islam is a complete code of life for Muslims. They cannot be merged in any other nation because of their philosophy of life based on the principles of Islam.
As the Indian Muslims found it difficult to live according to the principles of Islam in united India they were forced to demand a separate homeland to safeguard their religion, economy and political status.
Enforcement of Sovereignty of Allah Almighty
An Islamic state is established and progresses considering supreme the ordainments of God Almighty. Its matters are decided on the concept of the sovereignty of God Almighty only. Pakistan was created for the Muslims where Islamic principles could prevail.
Preservation of Muslim Culture
Colonies’ social and cultural institutions are affected and shaped by the colonizers’ preferences. The British established their system where Hindus accelerated their careers while Muslim identity and culture were in danger at the hands of their colonizers as well as hostile Hindu majority. The creation of Pakistan was needed to preserve Muslim culture and social institutions.
Two Nation theory
Two Nation theory was coined officially by Allama Iqbal in his Allahabad address of 1930. The social fabric of the subcontinent never saw the two communities unite completely and one could easily recognize their differences at a glance.
The essence of the theory is that Muslims are socially, economically, culturally, historically, religiously and politically dissimilar from the Hindus. They need a separate homeland to practice their believes as the two communities cannot coexist peacefully due to the gleaming differences in their ways of life.
Protection and revival of Muslim identity
Muslims remained dominant for centuries. Their identity was jeopardized when, because of the Muslim empire’s weakness as well as the cunning leadership of East India Company, the British took over the echelons of power of the subcontinent.
Muslims wanted to regain their lost identity. Additionally, and more importantly, the prejudicial attitude of Hindus against the Muslim population made their life difficult, to say the least.
Muslims needed security from the majority Hindu domination; after sacrificing so much, Muslims were able to get their right of a separate homeland due to perseverance and determination of Quaid e Azam.
Balanced economic system
The economic system is the backbone of every country. Muslims in the subcontinent did not have their economic system and relied on the British. In addition, Hindus were dominating the public offices and educational setup. Muslims were lacking in numerous ways and could not compete economically on equal grounds with the Hindus because of unfair patronage.
Freedom from the prejudicial majority rule
Muslims, after the War of Independence 1857 was held accountable and were persecuted by the Britishers. They granted major public offices to Hindus and kept Muslims alienated from the higher positions of government setup.
Hindus took benefit of the situation and initiated persecution of their own; they used to stop Muslims from practicing Islam and live life with freedom. Therefore, the 1940s was the decade when Muslims asserted their demand for separate homeland more vigorously.
Is Jinnah’s vision for a better Pakistan fulfilled?
Jinnah’s vision for a better Pakistan was pretty clear: he wanted the new country to be a democratic welfare state adhering to the rule of law, good governance, the emancipation of women and tolerance vis-à-vis minorities.
Unfortunately, his vision for a better Pakistan got blurred and was not transformed into a reality because of the failure of his successors to follow his directions.
Unity, faith and discipline, which was an important message of Jinnah was forgotten with the passage of time and the culture of backing, corruption and nepotism permeated in the societal and state structures of the country.
At a time when the nation is celebrating its 73rd independence anniversary, one req2uriues to examine why the country drifted away from Jinnah’s vision for a better Pakistan and how one can expect ordinary people and those at the wheel of affairs to transform Pakistan from a failing to a successful and vibrant country.
Economic breakdown, energy crisis, absence of the rule of law, rampant corruption, nepotism, intolerance, violence, terrorism and low quality of life of citizens are the key challenges faced by Pakistan today.
The culture of greed and sycophancy seems to have become an acceptable way of life. Perhaps, Jinnah didn’t visualize that in the coming years, Pakistan would deviate from the path which was set by him and transform as a state viewed by the world as unstable, corrupt and violent.
Vision for a better Pakistan, as articulated by Jinnah, needs to be modified in the light of new realities. The new government of Prime Minister Imran Khan is facing the daunting task of dealing with issues that are critical in nature.
The government must enforce economic and educational emergency so that the performance of factories, industries, financial and educational institutions is improved.
Similarly, the rule of law needs to be enforced by de-weaponizing Pakistan and exercising zero-tolerance against those who are involved in acts of violence corruption, nepotism in the country. Without political will and determination on the part of those who matter, the vision for a better Pakistan, as articulated by Jinnah cannot be transformed into a reality.
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