Pakistan: Story Of A Resilient Nation

Pakistan: Story Of A Resilient Nation

Written by: Mamoona Ali Kazmi

Pakistanis at home and abroad will be celebrating on August 14, 2009, their 62nd Independence Day. Pakistan came into being because the Muslims considered themselves as a separate entity from the majority Hindu community. The day, which is rejoiced, is also a reminder of the services and sacrifices of the Muslim leaders and their followers.

Pakistan movement is synonymous with the very spirit of Islam. The war of independence in 1857 was an open manifestation of the Muslim spirit of revolt against the domination of British government and its stooges in India. The boundaries of Pakistan emerged on the map of the world in 1947. This was accomplished on the basis of the Two Nation Theory. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan cultivated the concept of a separate Muslim nation on the basis of religion, culture and history. He inspired the Muslims of the sub-continent to demand a separate homeland where they could arrange their lives and affairs of the state according to the dictates of Holy Quran and Sunnah.

However, ideology of Pakistan found ever clear expression in the religion-philosophical, inspirational and poetic works of Dr. Mohammad Iqbal. While presiding over the session of the All India Muslim League at Allahabad in 1930, Dr. Iqbal presented the idea of an independent Islamic state in the sub-continent.

Due to the persistent intransigence of the Indian National Congress, the Muslims were left with no alternative but to demand the partition of sub-continent through famous resolution of 23rd March 1940. After a hard and heroic struggle by the Muslims of the sub-continent, the British Parliament was forced to approve the Indian Independence Act, 1947 leading to the birth of Pakistan on 14th August. So, Muslim population of the Indian sub-continent under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam and platform of the Muslim League achieved their dream destination - Pakistan. Quaid-e-Azam in his speech at the University Stadium Lahore on 30 October 1947 said: “That freedom can never be attained by a nation without suffering and sacrifice has been amply borne out by the recent tragic happenings in this sub-continent. We are in the midst of unparalleled difficulties and untold sufferings; we have been through dark days of apprehension and anguish; but I can say with confidence that with courage and self-reliance and by the grace of God we shall emerge triumphant”.

Quaid-e-Azam envisaged Pakistan where not only Muslims but also non-Muslims be treated generously not as a commendable secular principle but as a mandatory Islamic injunction. While addressing Bar association of Karachi on 25th January 1948 he said, “ Islam has taught equality, justice and fair play for every body…let us make it [the future constitution of Pakistan]…”. Quaid felt sure that the form of government in Pakistan would be of a ‘democratic type’ embodying the essential principles of Islam. He never wanted Pakistan to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission but a state where Hindus, Christians and Parsees would be all Pakistanis and would enjoy the same rights and privileges like other citizens and would play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan. The paramount objectives of the creation of Pakistan were to improve the lot of the poor and the emancipation of women.

Pakistan was achieved through unparalleled sacrifice of human and material resources. It faced immense pressures including the migration of over five million Muslims forced from India into Pakistan by worst communal riots all at the hands of Hindu extremists, who never did and never will reconcile to Pakistan. More than one million Muslims were martyred and over two hundred and fifty thousand Muslim women were abducted by Hindus and Sikhs.

The migration from India to Pakistan in the wake of partition was designed by Hindus to create an economic burden that Pakistan could not bear and should collapse. The people living in the areas constituted Pakistan received the migrants with open arms. In this way not only did the refugees assimilate in Pakistan but the sovereignty of Pakistan also remained intact. Similarly, India created other problems to destabilize Pakistan such as water problem, Kashmir issue and unequal distribution of assets both military and monetary. Despite these problems Pakistan survived and thrived.

No country can survive and prosper without strong defence capabilities. Pakistan’s Army is the fifth largest army of the world. Its military is equipped with modern weaponry most of them indigenously produced. In 1947, all 19 Ordnance factories, 40 depots were located in India. Today, Pakistan Ordnance Factories Wah comprises a large industrial complex of 14 factories and 6 subsidiaries with a work force of 30,000. Pakistan Army developed the capability of making and developing its own series of ballistic missiles. Pakistan has become the first Muslim nuclear state in 1998.

Women empowerment is essential for a developing country to enter into the circle of developed countries. In a speech at Islamia College for Women in 1940 Jinnah said, " I have always maintained that no nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with the men. No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men. There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that of the women". Women in Pakistan can no longer be called as illiterate and backward. Now Pakistani Women are actively participating in all walks of life. They are successful doctors, engineers, lawyers, nurses, teachers, politicians, bankers and pilots. The active participation of women in our society is a positive step towards a prosperous Pakistan. Under the present government certain positive steps have been taken to increase women participation. 17 percent seats are reserved for women in Senate, National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies. Representation in local governments increased to a minimum 33 percent and women are at liberty to contest elections on general seats as well.

Since its inception Pakistan has survived in a dignified manner through crisis and challenges. There is no denying the fact that Pakistan is not completely out of political and Socio-economic crisis but determination of present leadership demands optimism and conviction that we will sail out of the rest with dignity and honor. 14 August is the time to show unity and work shoulder to shoulder for the national interests with the government to make Pakistan exactly according to the ideals of Quaid-e-Azam.