It is seen in many talk shows nowadays that many people speak against the Objectives Resolution which was passed in 1949, by the then government of Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. This particular group of people accuses that the Objectives Resolution is the cause of religious intolerance and extremism in our society and furthermore it was against the wishes of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, and goes totally against his speech of 11th August 1947, in which he spoke of equal rights for all the citizens of Pakistan irrespective of religion, cast or creed. Upon analysing certain facts however, both of these allegations can be easily refuted. First of all the Objectives Resolution was passed by the then constituent assembly with an overwhelming majority, after a thorough discussion of five days. The members of that constituent assembly were mostly close associates and followers of Quaid-i-Azam. The question arises that if it had been against Quaids wishes then why did the members of that constituent assembly pass it with an overwhelming majority? Moreover the Objectives Resolution also speaks about equal rights for the citizens of Pakistan, based on the principles of Islam. Quaid-i-Azam also in one of his speeches said that we want Pakistan to function on the principles of Islamic socialism and no other 'isms. This speech suggests that the Quaid also wanted Pakistan to function on the ideals of Islam, and it also refutes the popular claim that he wanted a 'secular Pakistan. As far as religious extremism is concerned there are many factors that have escalated it, for instance the conservative and manipulative attitude of the clergy, and primarily the misuse of religion by certain leaders and politicians. Criticising the Objectives Resolution regarding this issue, is a very nave and an insensitive approach. It is a pity that a certain lobby in Pakistan disassociates Islam from Pakistan and therefore it creates Liaquat Ali Khan and the Objectives Resolution as scapegoats to justify their false claims. The Quaid and Liaquat Ali Khan wanted Pakistan to function as a modern, progressive and a democratic state based on the principles of Islam. In this context the Objectives Resolution can be described as a magnacarta for constitution making in Pakistan. DANISH HASAN, Lahore, September 22.