57th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan. (2004-13)

Pakistan Movement is synonymous with the very spirit of Islam. The war of Independence in 1857 was an open manifestation of the Muslim spirit of revolt against the domination of the British Government and its stooges in India. Frustration and lack of direction, however, pervaded the rank of Muslims after the unfortunate failure in the War. At this critical moment Sir Syed Ahmed Khan came to the rescue of the Muslims and served as a beacon light for the Muslims in distress and disarray. He equated education with power and declared that the Muslims could improve their political, social and economic condition only through the medium of modern and scientific education. He cultivated the concept of a separate Muslim Nation on the basis of religion, culture and history. He inspired the Muslims of the sub-continent to demand a separate homeland where they could arrange their lives and affairs of the State according to the dictates of Holy Ouran and Sunnah.

The Indian National Congress was established in 1885, the Muslim leaders saw through the game of "National Movement" and warned their people of the hovering dangers. After the partition of Bengal in 1905, the opposition of the Indian National Congress and its leadership compelled the Muslims to establish a political party to protest their rights. Thus in 1906, the Muslim league was founded as a challenge to the Indian National Congress. Maulana Hasrat Mohani presented a plan to the Government for the country envisaging two separate states for the Hindus and Muslims. Chaudhary Rehmat Ali further developed this concept and coined the word 'Pakistan'. He displayed great wisdom and foresight by putting forth not only a name but in large measure the scheme that culminated in the creation of Pakistan. Maulana Muhammad Ali, Maulana Shaukat Ali and Maulana Zafar Ali Khan spread the message of Movement through their lucid lectures and articles in newspapers.

lqbal initiated his efforts in the second decade of twentieth century to awaken the Muslims of India from the state of slumber which had dangerously retarded their moral and material progress leaving them far behind in the race of opportunities. He determined to extract the Muslim community from the backwardness by infusing a burning zeal among the depressed and dejected Muslims, lost in the wilderness.

Iqbal, being conscious of the implications of political development, propagated his ideas about a separate state for the Muslims in his Presidential Address delivered on 29th of December 1930 at Allahabad. Presiding over the 31st session of the All India Muslim League he said: "The principle of European democracy cannot be applied to India without recognizing the fact of communal groups. The Muslim demand for the creation of Muslim India within India is, therefore, perfectly justified.

After a great and heroic struggle by the Muslims of the sub-continent, under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah the British Parliament was forced to approve the Indian Independence Act, 1947 leading to the birth of Pakistan on 14th August, 1947. On this historic day, the Quaid-i-Azam while addressing the first session of Constituent Assembly of Pakistan in Karachi eulogized the services and sacrifices of the Muslims of the sub-continent to achieve Pakistan in the following words:-

"My thoughts are with the valiant fighters in our cause who readily sacrificed all they had, including their lives, to make Pakistan possible".

Thus the response of the millions, sacrificing their lives and homes, to the cal of "UNITY, FAITH AND DISCIPLINE" from their Quaid-i-Azam firmly placed Pakistan on the world map.

Quaid-i-Azam was one of the most dynamic personalities of South Asia, who vehemently advocated morality in politics. He declared that morality in politics was even more important than in private life "because if you do something wrong in public you hurt and harm more people".

The Governor General of Pakistan, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, addressed in the University grounds on Thursday 30th October 1947, the biggest public meeting in the political history of Lahore. The Quaid said:

"We have achieved our cherished goal of freedom and have established Pakistan as an independent sovereign state, fifth largest in the world. That freedom can never be attained by nation without suffering and sacrifice, has been amply borne out by the recent tragic happenings in unparalleled difficulties and untold sufferings, we have been through dark days of apprehension and anguish: but I can say with confidence that with courage and self-reliance and by the grace of God we shall emerge triumphant". Date of Issue (August 14, 2004)