English: Source:Pakistan Govt. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
August 14th is a day of remembrance. A day to recall the vision and dream of Iqbal who, as far back as 1930, spelt out the “destiny of Muslims at least of North-West India.” Said Iqbal: “I, therefore, demand the formation of a consolidated Muslim State in the best interests of India and Islam. For India it means security and peace resulting from an internal balance of power; for Islam an opportunity to rid itself of the stamp that Arabian Imperialism was forced to give it, to mobilise its laws, its education, its culture and to bring them into close contact with its own original spirit and with the spirit of modern times.”
Ten years later in 1940 at Lahore, the “Pakistan” Resolution was passed. Thus spoke the Quaid: “Muslim India cannot accept any constitution which must necessarily result in a Hindu majority government. Hindus and Muslims brought together under a democratic system forced upon the minorities can only mean Hindu Raj. Mussalmans are a nation according to any definition of a nation, and they must have their homelands, their territory and their state. We wish our people to develop to the fullest our spiritual, economic, social and political life…in consonance with our own ideals and according to the genius of our people.”
PTDC Motel at Swat, NWFP, Pakistan. Image by M.Sajid Ishaq. More images at http://waqas.fotopic.net and http://airport.fotopic.net (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In April 1946, 470 Muslim members of the Central and Provincial Assemblies met at Delhi under Quaid’s chairmanship and passed a resolution which interalia, stated:
“Whereas the Muslims are convinced that with a view to saving Muslim India from the domination of the Hindus, and in order to afford them full scope to develop themselves according to their genius, it is necessary to constitute a sovereign independent State comprising Bengal and Assam in the north-east zone and the Punjab, the North West Frontier Province, Sindh and Balochistan in the north-west zone.”
Below are excerpts from Quaid’s statements on some of the challenges and tasks faced by the new state.
August 11, 1947 speech to the Constituent Assembly: “The first duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are protected by the State. One of the biggest curses from which India is suffering…is bribery and corruption. We must put that down with an iron hand. Black marketing is another curse. The evil of nepotism and jobbery….must be crushed relentlessly…you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State. Now, I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State.”
A crowd of Muslims at the Old Fort (Purana Qila) in Delhi, which had been converted into a vast camp for Muslim refugees waiting to be transported to Pakistan. Manchester Guardian, 27 September 1947. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
On the Foreign Policy of Pakistan: “Our object should be peace within and peace without. It is of vital importance to Pakistan and India as independent, sovereign states to collaborate in a friendly way to jointly defend their frontiers, both on land and sea against any aggression. If we can put our house in order internally, then we may be able to play a very great part externally in all international affairs.”
Towards Rapid Industrialisation (on September 27, 1947): “If Pakistan is to play its proper role in the world…it must develop industrial potential side by side with its agriculture and give its economy an industrial bias.”
Reorientation of Education (on November 27, 1947): “You know that the importance of education and the right type of education cannot be over-emphasised…if we are to make any real, speedy and substantial progress, we must earnestly tackle this question and bring our educational policy and programme on the lines suited to the genius of our people, consonant with our history and culture, and having regard to the modern conditions and vast developments that have taken place all over the world. Also I must emphasise that greater attention should be paid to technical and vocational education.”
About Civil Servants in an informal talk at Peshawar (August 14, 1948): “Putting pressure and influence on service people, I know, is a very common fault of politicians…maybe some of you may fall victims for not satisfying the whims of ministers. I hope it does not happen, but you may even be put to trouble not because you are doing anything wrong but because you are doing right. Sacrifices have to be made and I appeal to you, if need be, to come forward and make the sacrifice. If you will give me the opportunity of your sacrifices, some of you at least, believe me, we will find a remedy for that very soon.”
Pakistani rupee (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
On Responsibilities of Youth (on April 12, 1948): “The duties required of you now are: develop a sound sense of discipline, character, initiative and a solid academic background. You must devote yourself whole-heartedly to your studies, for that is your first obligation to yourselves, your parents and to the State. Government welcomes constructive criticism. You can make a big contribution towards bringing about harmony and unity…”
On Women’s Role: “Your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity to our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses, as prisoners.”
Address to the Tribal Jirga Peshawar (on April 17, 1948): “I am glad to note that you have pledged your loyalty to Pakistan. Pakistan has no desire to unduly interfere with your internal freedom. On the contrary, Pakistan wants to help you and make you…self-reliant and self-sufficient and help in your educational, social and economic uplift.”
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, making a speech at the opening of the State Bank of Pakistan. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
On Balochistan (on June 13, 1948): “Now, you must have realised that Balochistan has been the most neglected part of this sub-continent all these years. In some respects it is criminal negligence on the part of those who were responsible for the welfare of Balochistan.”
Responsibilities of Defence Forces (at Quetta on June 14, 1948): “…during my talks with one or two very high-ranking officers I discovered that they did not know the implications of the Oath taken by the troops of Pakistan. Of course, an oath is only a matter of form; what is more important is the true spirit and the heart…the spirit is what really matters. I should like you to study the constitution which is in force in Pakistan, at present and understand its true constitutional and legal implications when you say that you will be faithful to the constitution.”
On State Bank of Pakistan (at opening of the State Bank of Pakistan on July 1, 1948): “The economic system of the West has created almost insoluble problems for humanity…only a miracle can save it from disaster. It has failed to do justice between man and man…it was largely responsible for the two world wars in the last half-century. The adoption of Western economic theory and practice will not help us in achieving our goal of creating a happy and contented people. We must work our destiny in our own way and present to the world an economic system based on true Islamic concept of equality of manhood and social justice.”
Pakistani 5000 Rupee ( Model ) Note, Issued By State Bank Of Pakistan ( October 2007 ) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Last quote: “Nature has given you everything: you have got unlimited resources. The foundations of your State have been laid, and it is now for you to build, and build as quickly and as well as you can. So go ahead and I wish you God speed!”
Quaid’s words as reproduced above, should be essential reading for all our decision-makers, planners, executives, teachers, lawyers, engineers and workers. The writer is a political and international relations analyst. E-mail: pacade@brain.net.pk
I wonder if the Quaid chose 14 August because it was 14 August 1920 when Hijart was started by muslims from NWFP when they crossed the border at Torkham into Darul-Islam (Afghanistan).
This question has been taxing my mind ever since I read that that border crossing was actually on 14 August (1920). Can any knowledgeable person help?
Kashmir: Correlations with the end of the Afghanistan war.
800,000 Soldiers stationed in the most beautiful valleys in the world eclipsed by the peaks of the Everest. Waters run fresh, water boats, lodging boats, stunning autumns, cool summers and intense winters. A climate that is no more part of India as the people, fair, tall beautiful. Culturally, linguistically and through ethnicity more Central Asian and Pakistani then to share any remote similarity with the people along the Ganges.
The question to ask is does India really want peace in Kashmir, unable to pull back their army or drastically reduce their numbers instead they allow them to continue their killing of innocent beautiful Kashmiris. Has India not learnt the lessons of the past that you will never crush Kashmiri right for self determination, independence from Occupation through brute force. Kashmir a bit like Afghanistan separated by a thin line between Pakistan & Afghanistan it is an imaginery border and between Pakistan & Kashnmir is the Line of Control, a demarcation line. This demarcation line represents a truth between Pakistan & India where the nation that markets itself as a democracy and secular state has to give Kashmiris their right to determine their future too. Is India stoking the fire to start another uprising, indiscriminate killings by Indian (Hindu) Police and Indian Army is on the rise. They play a game of death with the lives of the innocent Kashmiris, using their souls as target practice – the sickening games of death are on the rise yet again and continue to not register in New Delhis concerns. Abductions, indiscriminate killings, fake encounters, lies and propaganda against the innocent Kashmiris once more on the up.
Logic is beside me, if India genuinely seeks peace in Kashmir or are they desperate to be seen ever the victim, poor old India and mean old Pakistan. I draw you some parrallels that need to be reflected on. As the American occupation of Afghanistan draws to an end and resumptions of the NATO line begin. The Pakistani Taliban – Tereek-e-Taliban mercenaries existing in the pockets of foreign states are again on the rise on the Western border. Attrocities against Kashmiris are on the rise fuelling an armed insurgency that will have repercussions inside Pakistan because Kashmiris inside Pakistan are not completely oblivious to these attrocities. There will be infiltrations without government support just as Pakistan can not influence the Pakthuns of Khyber and Pakthunkwa from supporting their kith and kin in Afghanistan.
The Question arises, as the end of the occupation of Afghanistan looms, the Tereek-e-Taliban attacks are on the rise and attrocities in Kashmir again on the rise. India’s US supported positive marketing and grace period also seems to be coming to an end as the occupation of Afghanistan comes to an end. The Indian economy begins to stall and stagnate, these are the correlations that need to be put into context. The world no longer has the patience to listen to the facade of India, accusing Pakistan without evidence given the recent spectre over the Mumbai terror conviction/s.
Does a certain brutish nation suger coated as a great demcoracy in South Asia feel it is losing its edge or its grace period where it was given a green light to demonise and destroy Pakistans image.
Things will change when Afghanistan war closes, while it will not give Pakistan its due respect because we all know where the US/ISAF failure will be directed to. It will give Pakistan the ability to regain / reclaim its identity and strategic influence across Asia. As the window of opportunity for India closes, the brutish India becomes impatient and seeks to stoke the fire but as her grace period also comes to an end so will be reduced her support and marketing across the globe.
Is India purposely stoking the fire or is it beyond controlling its brutish army inside Kashmir. There are correlations that analyst need to look at to understand India’s behaviour. For me the only solution to deal with this troublesome, brutish neighbour is to “box her in”. By blocking her in, you keep her occupied but also cut off her energy source and start playing dirty because this is the game this dirty whore is accustomed to. She floods and controls our water and we sit silent, she kills and massacres our troops and people through terror outfits that have her support and funding from within Afghanistan and we sit silent. She demonises and accuses Pakistan while discussing Peace and we continue to listen to her ludicrous accusations. She seeks to drown Pakistan with unwanted Indian goods that frankly we can do without and have successfully done without. To the world she uses the word of Peace but has no such intention because in reality we see a different India upto her usual antics.
It is high time we return the favour, box her in, deny her access to Central Asia. Take the Kashmiri cause across the globe, set up events, conferences to show the attrocities India has inflicted for 64 years.
India is playing dirty again and there are direct correlations with the end of the Afghan War is this clinical and precise from he rpart or an act of desperation. Russia also looks very jekyl and hyde for Pakistan but also China with recent anti terror joint military exercises close to the Chinese border.
Pakistan strategists and analysts need to look at the correlations very closely and device counter strategies which I hope our glorious nation is already preparing. Our cherished baba Al Qaid has left a legacy of wisdom that apply today as they did back then, we are always prepared for Peace, ready to compromise but not to lose sovereignty or strategic depth all the while we continue to have “nothing” in return from India. India seeks Peace by annexing, monopolising and controlling Pakistan. Our idea of Peace 65 years on continue to be so different as different as we are people with those who arose from the Ganges. As Pakistan’s relationship with India develops and as a nation we grow so grows our wisdom and understanding of India’s real intentions and we should never lose sight of this ever.