August 14th is a day of remembrance. A day to recall the vision and dream of Iqbal who, as far back as 1930, spelt out the “destiny of Muslims at least of North-West India.” Said Iqbal: “I, therefore, demand the formation of a consolidated Muslim State in the best interests of India and Islam. For India it means security and peace resulting from an internal balance of power; for Islam an opportunity to rid itself of the stamp that Arabian Imperialism was forced to give it, to mobilise its laws, its education, its culture and to bring them into close contact with its own original spirit and with the spirit of modern times.”
Ten years later in 1940 at Lahore, the “Pakistan” Resolution was passed. Thus spoke the Quaid: “Muslim India cannot accept any constitution which must necessarily result in a Hindu majority government. Hindus and Muslims brought together under a democratic system forced upon the minorities can only mean Hindu Raj. Mussalmans are a nation according to any definition of a nation, and they must have their homelands, their territory and their state. We wish our people to develop to the fullest our spiritual, economic, social and political life…in consonance with our own ideals and according to the genius of our people.”
In April 1946, 470 Muslim members of the Central and Provincial Assemblies met at Delhi under Quaid’s chairmanship and passed a resolution which interalia, stated:
“Whereas the Muslims are convinced that with a view to saving Muslim India from the domination of the Hindus, and in order to afford them full scope to develop themselves according to their genius, it is necessary to constitute a sovereign independent State comprising Bengal and Assam in the north-east zone and the Punjab, the North West Frontier Province, Sindh and Balochistan in the north-west zone.”
Below are excerpts from Quaid’s statements on some of the challenges and tasks faced by the new state.
August 11, 1947 speech to the Constituent Assembly: “The first duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are protected by the State. One of the biggest curses from which India is suffering…is bribery and corruption. We must put that down with an iron hand. Black marketing is another curse. The evil of nepotism and jobbery….must be crushed relentlessly…you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State. Now, I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find 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.”
On the Foreign Policy of Pakistan: “Our object should be peace within and peace without. It is of vital importance to Pakistan and India as independent, sovereign states to collaborate in a friendly way to jointly defend their frontiers, both on land and sea against any aggression. If we can put our house in order internally, then we may be able to play a very great part externally in all international affairs.”
Towards Rapid Industrialisation (on September 27, 1947): “If Pakistan is to play its proper role in the world…it must develop industrial potential side by side with its agriculture and give its economy an industrial bias.”
Reorientation of Education (on November 27, 1947): “You know that the importance of education and the right type of education cannot be over-emphasised…if we are to make any real, speedy and substantial progress, we must earnestly tackle this question and bring our educational policy and programme on the lines suited to the genius of our people, consonant with our history and culture, and having regard to the modern conditions and vast developments that have taken place all over the world. Also I must emphasise that greater attention should be paid to technical and vocational education.”
About Civil Servants in an informal talk at Peshawar (August 14, 1948): “Putting pressure and influence on service people, I know, is a very common fault of politicians…maybe some of you may fall victims for not satisfying the whims of ministers. I hope it does not happen, but you may even be put to trouble not because you are doing anything wrong but because you are doing right. Sacrifices have to be made and I appeal to you, if need be, to come forward and make the sacrifice. If you will give me the opportunity of your sacrifices, some of you at least, believe me, we will find a remedy for that very soon.”
On Responsibilities of Youth (on April 12, 1948): “The duties required of you now are: develop a sound sense of discipline, character, initiative and a solid academic background. You must devote yourself whole-heartedly to your studies, for that is your first obligation to yourselves, your parents and to the State. Government welcomes constructive criticism. You can make a big contribution towards bringing about harmony and unity…”
On Women’s Role: “Your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity to our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses, as prisoners.”
Address to the Tribal Jirga Peshawar (on April 17, 1948): “I am glad to note that you have pledged your loyalty to Pakistan. Pakistan has no desire to unduly interfere with your internal freedom. On the contrary, Pakistan wants to help you and make you…self-reliant and self-sufficient and help in your educational, social and economic uplift.”
On Balochistan (on June 13, 1948): “Now, you must have realised that Balochistan has been the most neglected part of this sub-continent all these years. In some respects it is criminal negligence on the part of those who were responsible for the welfare of Balochistan.”
Responsibilities of Defence Forces (at Quetta on June 14, 1948): “…during my talks with one or two very high-ranking officers I discovered that they did not know the implications of the Oath taken by the troops of Pakistan. Of course, an oath is only a matter of form; what is more important is the true spirit and the heart…the spirit is what really matters. I should like you to study the constitution which is in force in Pakistan, at present and understand its true constitutional and legal implications when you say that you will be faithful to the constitution.”
On State Bank of Pakistan (at opening of the State Bank of Pakistan on July 1, 1948): “The economic system of the West has created almost insoluble problems for humanity…only a miracle can save it from disaster. It has failed to do justice between man and man…it was largely responsible for the two world wars in the last half-century. The adoption of Western economic theory and practice will not help us in achieving our goal of creating a happy and contented people. We must work our destiny in our own way and present to the world an economic system based on true Islamic concept of equality of manhood and social justice.”
Last quote: “Nature has given you everything: you have got unlimited resources. The foundations of your State have been laid, and it is now for you to build, and build as quickly and as well as you can. So go ahead and I wish you God speed!”
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