ISLAMABAD: Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was the charismatic leader of the 20th century, whose peaceful and democratic struggle not only altered the world map in the shape of Pakistan on the globe’s map but also won applause beyond borders.
In his renowned 1984 book “Jinnah of Pakistan,” esteemed US academic, historian, and writer Stanley Wolpert paid homage to Jinnah, stating, “Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Muhammad Ali Jinnah did all three.”
Similarly, Mrs Vijay Lakshmi Pundit, sister of Jawaharlal Nehru, expressed the sentiment that if the Muslim League had a hundred Gandhis and two hundred Azads, while the Congress had only one Jinnah, India would not have been divided.
These statements serve as compelling evidence of Quaid-e-Azam’s courageous advocacy for the Muslims of the subcontinent, achieving historic success in the form of Pakistan through a democratic and peaceful struggle.
International experts, in their commendable efforts, have highlighted various facets of Quaid’s life, personality, and leadership qualities during the Pakistan Movement. Within seven years of the historic Pakistan Resolution adopted in Lahore on March 23, 1940, Quaid-e-Azam materialized the vision, creating a separate homeland for Muslims on August 14, 1947.
Quaid-e-Azam consistently emphasized education and constructive criticism for the sake of improvement, steering away from political and personal gains. Witnessing his charisma and determination, Muslims united under the banner of the All India Muslim League (AIML) founded on December 30, 1906, giving impetus to the Independence and Pakistan Movement.
The momentum of the movement accelerated after Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s historic Allahabad address in 1930, where he outlined a clear vision of an independent state for Muslim-majority provinces, introducing the two-nation theory.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, upon formally joining AIML, reorganized it through visits to Muslim-majority provinces, paving the way for the practical shape of the Pakistan movement in 1933. During a gathering in London, Chaudhary Rehmat Ali proposed the name “Pakistan,” solidifying the direction set by the Pakistan Resolution and Allahabad address.
Despite his busy role as the First Governor General of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam addressed a Grand Tribal Jirga in Peshawar on April 17, 1948, praising the tribesmen’s commitment and support during the Pakistan Movement. He emphasized education and socio-economic development, considering it crucial for progress.
Addressing the first constituent assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947, Jinnah underscored minority rights, stating that individuals were free to practice their faiths without interference in the affairs of the state.
As the nation celebrates the 148th birthday of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah on December 25, it is an opportune moment for people to actively contribute to the development and prosperity of Pakistan by adhering to the guiding principles of unity, faith, and discipline. —APP
