Salahuddin Haider
YES it indeed is true. Pakistan was founded in 1947 for an ideal—a separate homeland for the Muslims of the sub-continent, where equality, justice and fairplay could be the guiding principles—but was lost in the wilderness within a short span of just 5 year.
Its founder, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, succumbed to an ailment only after 13 months, and his ablest lieutenant the Liaquat Ali fell prey to machinations of the vested interests in 1952.
The power game, starting after his martyrdom plunged the new born State into the kind of rigmarole that no one had visualized.
Instability, caused by frequent changes at the top level, one prime minister after the other, from one governor general to another, created an uncertainty, offshoot of which was a natural disappointment and despondency through the lengthy and breadth of its vast territory, stretching from Karachi to Kashmir in the Western wing, and from Dhaka to Chittagong Hill tracts on the Eastern side.
Luckily for all of us, the civil-military leadership has finally came to the country’s rescue, giving it a new hope with the slogan—One Nation, One Destination.
It is, apart from being enlightening in character, is a motto for progress, development and growth. All combined in one showing the path reaching its destiny.
But for that the present and coming generation, needs to be reminded on our history, chequered but promising. Such a reminder is an absolute MUST.
Yome-Pakistan,or Pakistan Resolution Day, also Republic Day, is a national holiday in Pakistan commemorating the Lahore Resolution passed on 23 March 1940 and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan during the transition of the Dominion of Pakistan to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 23 March 1956 Pakistan resolution was the landmark in the history of Muslims of South-Asia.
It determined for them a true goal and their homeland in north-east and north-west.
The acceptance of the Pakistan resolution accelerated the pace of freedom movement
The Muslim League held its annual session at Minto Park in Lahore, Punjab, that lasted from 22 to 24 March 1940.
During this event, the Muslim League led by the Quaid-e-Azam and his close associates narrated the events regarding the differences between Hindus and Muslims, and introduced the historical resolution that cemented the formation of a nation-state in South Asia as Pakistan, even though it did not actually mention Pakistan at all.
The resolution was moved by Abul Qasim Fazlul Huq, (26 October 1873 – 27 April 1962), often called Sher-e-Bangla, passed on 24 March and had its signatures from the Founding Fathers of Pakistan.
It reads as:, ‘No constitutional plan would be workable or acceptable to the Muslims unless geographical contiguous units are demarcated into regions which should be so constituted with such territorial readjustments as may be necessary.
That the areas in which the Muslims are numerically in majority as in the North-Western and Eastern zones of India should be grouped to constitute independent states in which the constituent units shall be autonomous and sovereign.
This year, 23rd March is being celebrated to further the agenda of ‘One Nation, One Destination’, (Aik Qoum, Aik Manzil.
National days urge everyone to play their part in the progression of this sacred motherland for which hundreds and thousands of lives were sacrificed.
To achieve such great height, every segment of society has to play pivotal role on their part.
World has witnessed the glorious characters of this nation who earned fame and respect in different fields across the world.
But let us just go back to 1420 years when our Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)in his last sermon, called the hujjatal wida in Arabic, in which he laid down the broad principles of Statehood. His sayings that everyone in the first Muslim Riasat(State)was equal.
There was no difference between an Arab or Ajam (Arabic word meaning deaf or a language far dumb in nature and unmatched to glorious Arabic which the then Arabs considered much superior to any other language then in vogue, no difference between rich and poor, between races, white or black, became the beacon light or the First Constitution of the world, which still continues to be important till date, whether it is the Human Rights Charter of the United Nations, or the Magna Carta of Great Britain.
The Magna Carta (Great Charter) is a document guaranteeing English political liberties that was drafted at Runnymede, a meadow by the River Thames, and signed by King John on June 15, 1215, under pressure from his rebellious barons.
Bu no less important was the emphasis laid down by the Quaid-e-Azam during the Muslim League struggle for Pakistan.
Inspired by the historic Sermon of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh), he too showed the same light to Muslims of India, who on his call began to migrate to Pakistan, and his appeal to the businessman of the Gujrat who brought all their investments to Pakistan, assets contributing to industrial development of the newly found State.
His August 11 speech in which he stated in words loud, clear and unambiguous that there was no difference between caste or creed, Hindus or Muslims, Parsis or Christians.
All were equal citizens of the new State, and enjoyed equal rights as its citizens.
Unfortunately, divisive tendencies, shattered the Quaid’ dreams.
But now the new slogan of One Nation, One Destination has given a new hope, and this year’s Pakistan Day celebrations will indeed carry a new message for the country, will inspire the nation to start marching ahead to the role it was originally destined to play, and be counted among the comity of nations.
It is a tremendous, very powerful slogan, no doubt.
