Eighty one years have gone by since our founding fathersgathered under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-AzamMuhammed Ali Jinnah to have a proper blueprint for socio-economic and politico-religious autonomy of the Muslims of the British ruled sub-continent. At this historic session, the leaders of the All India Muslim League (AIML), unanimously passed a resolution demanding creation of separate federations based on Muslim majority areas in the British India.
While delivering his key note address in favor of the demand, Quaid-e-Azam explained that it was due time for Muslims to have such an arrangement as they were inherently different from Hindu majority in every aspect of life. He highlighted the separate and distinct national character of the Muslims of India in these words,
“The Muslims are a nation by every definition of the word Nation. It is absolutely wrong to consider the Muslims as a minority. We are a nation of hundred million people. What is more, we are a nation with our own distinct culture, and civilization and therefore to have every right to have our separate home land.”
The Muslims welcomed the resolution with amazing enthusiasm as it gave them a fresh hope and confidence in their destiny. It set the course of their struggle right which seven years later would eventually be culminated into the creation of a separate home land-Pakistan. The Pakistan Resolution is also a watershed moment in the whole freedom struggle as it gathered the Muslims under one single goal- they won’t settle for anything less than freedom both from British rule and Hindu domination.
Pakistan Resolution teaches us that today clarity of vision, strength of political will, unflinching resolve in your beliefs and a lofty purpose are very important for leaders as well as nations and modern states. Until, you have a purpose which is deeply rooted with masses, larger than life and broader than skies, it is very unlikely that you achieve something bigger let alone a nation state. That is what distinguishes our forefathers with the leaders of our times.
Unfortunately, Pakistan’s recent history is marred by visionless politicians and political jugglers who put their self-interests higher than national interests. Last four decades is a glaring example of this bitter truth. The politics of loot and plunder by business cum political dynasties gave birth to all the evils that have become a trade mark of today’s political culture in Pakistanincluding horse trading; land grabbing, money launderingand foul crying which has rendered the country to degenerate in every sector. The last four decades are the bleakest times of Pakistan’s history.
Such state of affairs demanded a greater resolve under a new leadership which the people of Pakistan had been desperately waiting for quite some time. Ultimately, in the general elections of 2018, they chose not to be fooled by old folks and elected a third political force into power which is striving really hard to build a Naya Pakistan under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan. He is picking up pieces to build a Muslim Welfare state as envisaged by our forefathers on the pattern of Islamic Welfare state of Madina where a common man and rulerboth had equal rights.
It is too early to conclude how successful the new regime has been in its endeavors to turn Pakistan into a homeland as it was envisaged by Quaid-e- Azam and Allama Iqbal but one thing is certain that under the dynamic leadership of PM Imran Khan, Pakistan is back on track to become a true Islamic Welfare State. Unlike political leaders of the past if they can be considered political leaders at all, Prime Minister Imran Khan has given hope, courage and confidence to the people of Pakistan.
By: Dr. Muhammed Akhtar Malik The writer is Minister for Energy in Punjab.
Pakistan Resolution teaches us that today clarity of vision, strength of political will, unflinching resolve in your beliefs and a lofty purpose are very important for leaders as well as nations and modern states.