Nation on Tuesday celebrated Pakistan Day to mark the endorsement of the Lahore Resolution, also known as Pakistan Resolution, which was passed on 23 March 1940. On this occasion, the idea of the creation of Pakistan as a separate motherland for the Muslim population of the subcontinent was accepted.
The Lahore Resolution of March 23 symbolized a dividing line in modern Indian history. It declared self-perceived nationhood for the 90 million Indian Muslims who had been pleased with being marginal for almost 75 years since the 1860s.
March 23 indicated the birth of a nation, at least in the ideational dominion, and commence of a great effort to create a territorial base in India’s body politic. This, in short, is the prime importance of Pakistan Day, which honors that milestone resolution.
Lahore Resolution of March 23
It was passed in the second open sitting on the afternoon of March 23 in Lahore. While the first sitting on March 22 had been taken up by, among others issues, Supreme Leader Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s informal two-hour presidential talk in which the father of nation argued, for the most part, the Muslim case for separate land in sociological and political terms and called for their motherlands, their territories and their state so that they could expand to the fullest their cultural, economic, social spiritual, and political life in a way they think best, and in consonance with our own ideals and according to the brilliance of the people.
Supporters of the Resolution
These were the points on the basis of which the Chief Minister of Bengal Maulvi Fazlullah introduced the Lahore Resolution which was later termed as the Pakistan Resolution. This lengthy resolution comprising more than 440 words was supported by Sardar Aurangzeb Khan (NWFP), Maulana Zafar Ali and Sir Abdullah Haroon (Sindh Khan (Punjab) before the session was adjourned till the next day.
When discussion on the resolution was resumed on the second On (March 24) it was supported by Qazi Mohammad Isa Khan (Balochistan), Abdul Hamid Khan (Madras), Ismail Chundrigar (Bombay), Syed Abdur Rauf Shah (CP), Mohammad Ismail Khan (Bihar), and Dr. Mohammad Alam (Punjab).
Jinnah’s Vision of Pakistan
However, as a new state, Pakistan was not lucky enough to enjoy the leadership of the Quaid-e-Azam for long, as being seriously ill since long; he left this world on 11 September 1948.
Since Quaid-e-Azam knew that he may not live longer, he gave his vision of how Pakistan should be made a great state, in a series of speeches delivered at various forums in Pakistan, as a Governor-General, from 14 August 1947 to 11 September 1948.
Quaid-e-Azam said, “The first duty of the state is to maintain law and order, to protect the life, property and religious beliefs of its people. The biggest curses of bribery, corruption, black-marketing, nepotism and jobbery, inherited from India, should be put down with an iron hand.
“As citizens of Pakistan, we have equal rights, privileges, and obligations, irrespective of color, creed, caste and religion. You are free, you are free to go to your temples, to mosques, or to any other place of worship in Pakistan,” he added.
About foreign and defence policies, the Quaid said, “We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial and friendly relations with our immediate neighbours and with the world at large. The best way in which we can serve the cause of peace is by removing the temptation from the path of those who think that we are weak and, therefore, they can bully or attack us.”
Mr. Jinnah stated, “I am sure that the Constitution of Pakistan will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principles of Muslim democracy. Our salvation lies in following the golden rules of conduct set for us by the Prophet of Islam.”
Quaid-e-Azam stated, “The State bank of Pakistan should evolve an economic system compatible with Islamic ideas of social and economic life. The Western economic theory and practice will not help us in achieving our goal of creating a happy and contented society.”
Is Jinnah’s vision for an ideal Pakistan fulfilled?
Unfortunately, Jinnah’s vision for an ideal society got blurred and was not transformed into a reality because of the failure of his successors to pursue his directions.
Several issues, including economic, 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 government must enforce the rule of law by de-weaponizing Pakistan and exercising zero-tolerance against those who are involved in acts of violence corruption, nepotism in the country.
Without political and national will as well as determination on the part of those who matter, the dream for an ideal and supreme society, as wished by Jinnah cannot be transformed into a reality. It is our duty now that as citizens we educate our younger generation about the past and the struggle of our predecessors for self-determination against the cruelties.
We should also mirror the love, affection and success of the resolution while remembering our leaders who fight back to get a separate homeland. Most important Jinnah’s vision of a vibrant, peaceful and prosperous Pakistan should remain our priority and goal.
