Patriotism is: “Not that I loved Caesar less, but that I loved Rome more.” (William Shakespeare in Julius Caesar.) Lord Acton had rightly remarked, “Patriotism is in political life what faith is in religion”.
Invariably during the months of March. (Pakistan Day), August (Independence Day), and December (Debacle of East Pakistan), my mood and thoughts are reigned by where and how we lost our way? Can we renegotiate back to our purpose, as envisioned by the founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah? Yes, we can, is the answer of my soul.
The definition of a nation is not defined by its geographic size or territorial contours, but by its living soul. Singapore is a case in point. “The driving force of a nation lies in its spiritual purpose, made effective by free, tolerant but unremitting national will” (Franklin D Roosevelt).
The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people (An Ashanti proverb).” If our house be on fire, without inquiring whether it has fire from within or without, we must try to extinguish it.” (Thomas Jefferson). The writer is drawing support to the arguments here more out of statements made by politicians of the United States of America. That is with a purpose. In current times it is most befitting reminders to all.
Only we have to decide what we want to be. The moment we surrender this inalienable right to others, we lose our sovereignty. We best know our talents and skills. There is no need to be apish in our initiatives; we are different and we are unique; this distinction must emerge as a natural corollary to the spirit of patriotism. We have it and haven’t lost it; the only requirement today is its rediscovery. We must drive our policies and our growth based on what suits us and what is good for us, both in the short term and in the long-term. There is no need to be directed.
If we are strong internally, then all external threats can be handled and defused. A weak nation is that which is marred by internal strife and dissension. We regrettably presented such spectacle in 1971 and we therefore faced the consequence of dismemberment as a country; the saddest thing that can happen to any nation.
The tragedy is that we haven’t been able to absorb the loss without any correction in our national attitude and behaviour. Are we callous? This scribe thinks ‘no, we are not’. So where is the trouble? Leadership, and it is only an enlightened leadership that can rekindle the spirit of patriotism.
Leadership must lead to fill the cracks, if any; to glue the diverse forces and be patient enough to allow for constructive dissent. It is not unhealthy to see companion, advice and counsel. This applies to all segments of society and not merely the politicians.
The resolve and determination to abandon any effort or action that divides the nation, is the best and exemplary display of the trait of leadership.
The ice melts from the top; and the fish rots from the head, but what Woodrow Wilson said makes more sense for us. “Energy in a nation is like sap in a tree; it rises from bottom up”.
The fallout of this line of thinking is that while indisputably leadership has to take major role in giving direction to the people it is also an equal, if not more, the responsibility of the “followers” (read all the citizens) to remain constant in their singular purpose to seek more for the country than for self.
Regrettably though and not without sound reasons of past experience, the roaring of the spirit of patriotism places serious aspersions on the purity of intentions of the politicians. And it is here, and in that context, that Samuel Johnson had said, “Patriotism is last refuge of the scoundrel”.
As a nation, we must remain conscious of those politicians who are seen to flourish by either creating or supporting internal strife and dissension, and yet, play and dance to the tune of patriotism.
The principal outstanding quality of a leader is to “inspire “. In our context, it was Mohammed Ali Jinnah, who did so with great exemplary behaviour of sacrifice and by denying to himself several perks and privileges.
Liaqat Ali Khan, our first prime minister, was another, but he was taken out through assassination. Of the three military rulers, at least two of them inspired the nation with their imagination and consequent economic development; but one of them was hardly a source of inspiration — he merely perpetuated his rule — the dark period of Pakistan’s history. (May his soul rest in peace).
The most populist of all politicians till today is Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who not only had a dream but for being passionately inspirational too, for the cause of the country — again with all his faults, he was a patriot of unquestionable financial integrity. He was taken out through a judicial process.
In the emerging New World Order, it apparently seems that the rule of might, would be the guiding light for action against real and perceived enemies. We need to be prepared for this new world order. To a resolute and honest leadership all tasks are easy.
Virtuosity in society is directly linked to the presence of the spirit of patriotism. The smile on the faces of the citizenry explains the existence of the spirit of the nation. A lack of it indicates absence of the spirit. Homer says in The Odyssey, “I, for one, know of no sweeter sight for a man’s eyes than his own country “. And a Malay proverb expresses this scribe’s sentiments on the subject the best: “though it rain gold and silver in a foreign land and daggers and spears at home, yet it is better to be home.” There is no north, south, west, or east; it is just my/our country, Pakistan, to which we all owe unquestionable, undiluted, unalloyed and unrelenting allegiance. Period. To be continued
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
The writer is Senior Banker & Freelance Contributor