Pakistan Day - some reflections

This year Pakistan Day has come at a time when the country finds itself ones again at the crossroads and up against a sea of troubles. In such a demoralising environment our thoughts go back to those electrifying days when Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his dedicated companions were engaged in a relentless struggle against the combined might of Hindu nationalists and British imperialists.
It was the 23rd of March 1940. More then one hundred thousand Muslims had gathered in and around the gigantic tent erected in Minto (now Allama Iqbal) Park, within view of the lofty minarets of the beautiful Badshahi Mosque and Emperor Akbar's great Fort. Lahore, a teaming centre of Muslim power in South Asia, was about to give birth to Muslim League's Pakistan Resolution.
"Mussalmans are a nation according to any definition of a nation, and they must have their homelands, their territory and their State," the Quaid declared to the world in his deep trenchant voice. An irrefutable case for separate Muslim nationhood and for the division of India between Hindu and Muslim states had been made. The die was cast. There was no turning back. "Hundred million Mussalmans are with us," asserted the Quaid. "The way in which I see them now is that the phoenix-like rise and regeneration of Muslim India from the very ashes of its ruination is a miracle..... The goal is near, stand untied, preserver and march forward." The heroic efforts of the Muslims culminated in success and Pakistan emerged on the map of the world.
The road to Pakistan, however, was an arduous and thorny one; an uphill task, which lasted, long and tested the mettle of the champions and advocates of Pakistan. Fifty years after the Great Uprising, Muslim leaders decided to form the All India Muslim League, primarily to (a) promote among the Muslims of India feelings of loyalty to the British government and (b) to protect and advance the political rights and interests of the Muslims of India.
Beginning with such modest aims, it took the Muslims more than three decades to adopt the Pakistan ideal. From 1906 to 1940 they had tried everything - friendship with Britain, opposition to the Congress, extremist agitation, co-operation with the Congress, belligerent neutrality, negotiations, appeals and threats. In the end their latent nationalism triumphed. The march of history had made a nation of community.
The two-nation theory highlighted by Sir Syed in 1867, reiterated by Syed Amir Ali in 1897, advanced by Allama Iqbal in 1930 and articulated by Chaudhry Rehmat Ali in 1933, reached its logical conclusion in the demand of a separate homeland by the Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jannah.
The Pakistan Resolution was the natural outcome of the two-nation theory, which furnished the rationale behind the creation of Pakistan. The two-nation theory, the Pakistan Resolution and the creation of Pakistan are so tightly knit together that it is impossible to separate the one from the other. In short, it is the quintessence of our nation ideology. Its significance can never be diminished.
India eventually appears to have reconciled itself to the creation of Pakistan. It is high time it did. New alliances have been formed in the international arena. The world order has changed. But even after a lapse of half a century the Kashmir case still stands unresolved. Of late relations between Pakistan and India have improved and there is much interaction between the peoples of the two countries. Cordiality and camaraderie between the two Punjabs have also gathered momentum.
All this is wonderful but could prove as evanescent as the morning dew. It may all turn out to be an illusion. What is needed is faith and sincerity if genuine friendship is to thrive. Short of this, there will be only doubt and suspicion. Pakistan has shown flexibility but India is rigid in its stance.
Apart from the difficulties, which the Muslims face in the subcontinent, a greater danger looms large over the Muslim world. Muslim/Arab culture, traditions and beliefs are under attack. Never have the followers of Islam been so utterly helpless and vulnerable as they are today. First Afghanistan, then Iraq and now Iran and Syria are being threatened with mass destruction by the Washington - Tel Aviv axis. Why are only Muslim countries being targeted?
In such an ominous global environment, it is imperative that we consolidate our political, social and economic institutions. The best way to do so is follow the precepts of Quaid.
Today when we look at things around us, we are struck with dismay. On the internal front, there is sectarian strife, linguistic, racial and group prejudice, political and economic dissatisfaction, lack of democracy, extremism, tussle between the Opposition and the Government, galloping inflation, growing unemployment, widespread corruption, bad blood between the centre and provinces and insurgency in Wana, Waziristan and Sui. On the external front, too, the situation is not very hopeful. Afghanistan's inroads into Pakistani territory, the mess in Iraq, the American-Israeli threat to neighbouring Iran, the issues of Kashmir, Baglihar and Kishan ganga hydroelectric projects and the restructuring of OIC are all tricky and challenging issues.
The Pakistan of 2005 is not the Pakistan of 1947. It is no longer the country that was carved out of the Indian subcontinent on the basis of national identity, Islamic values and enlightened socio-political principles. Under these circumstances what sort of a future can we visualise for Pakistan. Time is of the very essence.
Will we accomplish a socio-economic miracle or be reduced to a footnote when the history of our times comes to be written? Will we be a model of democratic stability and national unity in the days to come? A solution to these and other problems can be found provided the people and the leaders are ready to readjust their priorities: willing to learn from the monumental mistakes of the past and enunciate their goals clear-cut terms.
To begin with we must dedicate ourselves, in letter and spirit, to the principles of democracy. People must be given their basic political and economic rights. The government and the opposition should shun a collision course and arrive at a mutual understanding in the interest of the nation. Our leaders must display a higher sense of patriotism to ensure a brighter future for the country.