Even a brief look back onto the pages of history yields a handful of faces who, in their quest for higher ideals or goals never yielded and never shed a single drop of blood or fired a single shot. Of these visionaries, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, stands out among all others, having securing freedom and a separate homeland for the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent, all without a bloody revolution.
At a time when India was passing through the most atrocious of times, it was Jinnah’s statesmanship that helped Muslims secure the state of Pakistan. “Our objective should be peace within, and peace without. We want to live peacefully and maintain cordial friendly relations with our immediate neighbours and with the world at large,” Jinnah once said. On way to materialise the dream of Allama Iqbal, the Quaid surpassed all obstacles, not only winning acknowledgement from friends, but also from foes. Vijay Lakshmi Pundit, the sister of Jawaharlalz Nehru, the first prime minister of India, wrote in her book, “If Pakistan Muslim League had 100 Gandhis and 200 Abulkalam Azads, there would have been no Pakistan. However, if the Congress had only one Jinnah, India would not have been divided.” Lord Mountbatten, the last Viceroy of the subcontinent, admitted in his memoirs, “Had I any clue that Jinnah would die in 1948, I would have extended the date of division and Pakistan would never have been there on the world map.” But, no conspiracy, no ill will could come in the Quaid’s way to an Ideology and creation of an independent state for the suppressed Muslims of the subcontinent.
Today if we look back and think what kind of power Jinnah gave us in the form of an independent country, we cannot thank enough for such blessing as the nations which are striving for their identity are suffering badly in dominating hands and those who have freedom must acknowledge this great gift as Quaid said that “Pakistan not only means freedom and independence but the Muslim Ideology which has to be preserved, which has come to us as a precious gift and treasure and which, we hope other will share with us”. Quaid-e-Azam always felt proud of youth and believed that they can do miracles with their strength and togetherness and he in an address to Muslim Students Federation at Lahore on October 31, 1947, also mentioned that “Pakistan is proud of her youth, particularly the students who have always been in the forefront in the hour of trial and need. You are the nation’s leaders of tomorrow, and you must fully equip yourself by discipline, education and training for the arduous task lying ahead of you. You should realise the magnitude of your responsibility and be ready to bear it”. Now today youth of Pakistan must realize their potentials and contribute more towards Pakistan’s stability. Undoubtedly the youth have all capabilities to make a Quaid’s visionary Pakistan, but they should not fell prey to hostile elements to let down their country on any forum. People responsible to run affairs of state must keep in mind that this country was raised on world map after many sacrifices and struggles.