A Vision of Pakistan

A Vision of Pakistan
A. J. Malik

Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947, despite incessant opposition by Indian National Congress and her allies. At its birth Pakistan was faced with apparently insurmountable problems. The immediate worries were rehabilitation of millions of refugees and restoration of industrial and agricultural infra-structure. The national exchequer was empty. India refused to transfer Pakistan’s share in financial. Hindus thought that Pakistan would, at best, be a still-born baby.

But, with grace of Allah, the Almighty, Pakistan was able to survive all hurdles. It proved its viability despite severe politico-economic jolts. Despite lapse of over 60 years, India has never accepted Pakistan's existence, at heart. Even Nehru, an outwardly liberal leader, regarded creation of Pakistan as a blunder. His rancour against Pakistan reached a crescendo in his remarks 'I shall not have that carbuncle on my back'. These remarks have been quoted by D. H. Bhutani in his book, The Future of Pakistan (page 14). Nehru's followers continued their anti-Pakistan efforts in the post-Partition period. Today, Pakistan is no longer vulnerable to India’s machinations. It is a nuclear power.

Majority of Pakistanis wish to see Pakistan emerge as a moderate economically viable power. Their attitudes reflect the Quaid’s vision. He envisioned Pakistan to be a liberal and democratic Muslim state, not a theocracy, plagued by sectarian violence. The following extracts from the Quaid’s speeches and statements as Governor General of Pakistan reflects his vision: “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques, or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan…you may belong to any religion, caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State…We are starting in the days when there is no discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no discrimination between one caste or creed or another. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of the one State”.

The Quaid visualised 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. K. Brohi, in his The Fundamental Law of Pakistan, argues that Pakistan is an Islamic state, but not a theocracy.

Jinnah’s address to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, also, epitomises his vision. He emphasised following principles of governance: (a) Maintaining law and order. (b) Concentrating on welfare of the masses (not privileged classes). (c) exterminating bribery, corruption, nepotism and jobbery. The widespread nepotism and corruption in our society caricatures the Quaid’s vision of Pakistan.

The Quaid did envision an Islamic state, but no secular or theocratic state. The intolerance, surge of extremism, and widespread corruption caricatures the Quaid’s vision. Let us do some soul searching on this Independence Day. Haven’t we forgotten the Quaid’s ideals?