Pakistan is today celebrating the 132nd birthday of its founder Mohammad Ali Jinnah, who was born on December 25, 1876, in Karachi. As a boy, he played cricket, marbles and rode horses, as his father owned a good stable of his own. He kept his books, dress and hands immaculate, besides reading late into the nights, as he believed that it could pave his way to become big in life.
It spoke of a child's innocent ambition. But no-one ever thought that he would one day create Pakistan-one of the biggest Muslim States to free the Muslims from the influence of the Hindus that was jeopardising their future.
After his school education in Karachi was over, he was sent by his parents to England. He preferred the Lincoln's Inn, as he saw here the name of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), among the biggest law-give of the world. During his stay in England, side-by-side his studies, he kept himself in touch with the Indian political currents and cross-currents. The Indian Politics was thus in no way new to him. On his return from England, he joined the All India National Congress in a bid to bring Hindu-Muslim Unity. But he had to resign in disgust, as he was not getting the desired co-operation from the Hindu Congress. This made him realise that the Hindus and Muslims, were two different entities, having different culture, customs, traditions, language and religious beliefs. Thus they could never co-exist together in peace.
His political insight and statesmanship were put to true test when he joined the All India Muslim League in 1916. Although the Muslim League was established in 1906, it was still disorganised, divided, and lacked dynamic leadership. He brought all the divided Muslim leaders having different shade of opinions under the banner of the Muslim League to forge ahead and be a strong force for the Muslims to retaliate injustices done to them.
The energised Muslims heaved a sigh of relief on his coming into the fold of the Muslim League. He was elected as the first President of the Muslim League in 1916 and from 1934 onwards was elected as the President annually. By 1939 he had established himself so much that he became the undisputed leader of the Muslims, who reposed their full confidence in his leadership.
On March 23, 1940, he presided over the annual session of the Muslim League at Lahore, which later came to be termed as "The Lahore Resolution", which was attended by the Muslim leaders from all over India. The One-Nation-Theory propounded earlier was debated and accordingly the demand for a separate homeland for the Muslims was also vehemently endorsed. Jinnah was given the title of 'Quaid-e-Azam' out of love and reverence by the Muslims. He undertook extensive tours in the country, and explained the purpose of a separate homeland, Pakistan. Pakistan, he said, would be free from the Hindu influence, all will have the religious freedom. Minorities will be given equal rights, and no one will be under subjugation of any one. Thus, the demand for a separate homeland by the Muslims irked the Hindu Congress, yet it spread like wild fire throughout the country.
When India was caught in unforgettable communal riots of 1942, he advised the British government the need for a separate state of Pakistan. He reiterated the demand at the 1946 Conference in London and insisted on the partition of British India into Hindu and Muslim states. Thus the quest of Pakistan by the Muslims, headed by the Quaid-e-Azam, came to a successful end on August 14, 1947 as the biggest Muslim State in the world. The partition of the sub-continent brought in its wake unprecedented loss of life and the property of Muslims by the frenzied Hindus. Being an unanticipated sequel to the partition, this made the Quaid-e-Azam most sad, sick and sorry.
Jinnah despised parochialism, partisanship, religious extremism, intolerance. In his eyes, as Pakistan had now come into existence, all were Pakistanis first. The Quaid bequeathed handsome portions of his legacy to the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh (in India) and the present Islamia College, Peshawar, which speaks of his generosity. He loved the students but advised them to enter politics after completing their education, to make them better leaders of tomorrow. He also wished women to come forward and take part in politics. His younger sister Miss Fatima Jinnah undertook to lead the women. For Pakistan, which had become his passion, the Quaid gave up his lucrative legal practice to be able to give more time to the Pakistan movement. He risked his health by ignoring his doctors' advice for rest and recreation, he so badly needed to recoup his health.
He was punctual to a minute and a strict disciplinarian, of which he himself was a fine example. He was not easy to lures like the leaders of this age, who can go any length to take full benefit from their power and pelf. He was indomitable and fearless at the same time.
The euphoria promised by the government, has not made even an iota of difference in the life of the poor. Problems like shortage of food, water energy, eradication of poverty, unemployment of the educated youth, deteriorating law and order situation, soaring prices, unbridled corruption, are some of the problems the government is not able to solve. Cases of suicide-bombing have increased and the country is also faced with al Qaeda and Taliban threats. Flight of capital from local banks to foreign banks is another shock to the government.
The foreign investors have gone back to their countries due to the bad law and order situation, and risks to their lives and deposits. Sensible people want the capital brought back so that the country's economic problems are eased. Instead, the international loan giving agencies like the IMF, Asian Bank, Islamic Bank and the 'Friends of Pakistan' are being desperately approached to rescue and revive the ailing economy.
Quaid's golden motto, 'UNITY, FAITH and DISCIPLINE' is left only in the text books or in some government offices for formality's sake. New slogans are being coined when any new government comes in. Our nuclear assets are being eyed upon by the unfriendly neighbours, who do not want us to be nuclear for our peaceful purposes.
Pakistan, achieved with very high idealism, and to be the leader in science and technology to other Muslim countries, is now being labelled as the "terrorist country' and the 'dirtiest country' in the world. Is not it amazing? Since its inception Pakistan has been ruled by the civilian and the military dictators, but the fate of the poor has remained unchanged despite lofty promises. It is not only the national but international politics also that has brought us to such a pass.
If the people get united as they were in pre-partition days, have governance by honest and sincere leaders, whether it is democratic or not, no harm will ever come to Pakistan. We are grateful to the Quaid for giving us Pakistan. May Pakistan live for ever and the economic and political conditions in the country change for good!