The vision for a better Pakistan, as articulated by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, needs to be modified in the light of new realities.
Pakistan emerged on the world map on 14 August 1947, Pakistan owes its creation to the leadership and vision of “Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah”, a man of thought and action. By “Unity, Faith and Discipline”, he converted the Muslim nation into a dynamic force which swept the sub-continent and altered the destinies of a human race by laying the foundation of the second biggest Muslim state, an achievement without parallel in the annals of civilization.
The nation celebrating its 71th Independence Day as a moment of joy, the occasion also provides us with an opportunity to think about the vision and the objective of creating the new state of Pakistan. The vision that pulled the diverse Muslim communities from different regions of British India together in demanding and finally winning an independent homeland in the Muslim majority areas of the subcontinent became subject to many conflicting interpretations. This was not unusual though. Every post-colonial state has been through this process. In contrast to Pakistan, however, other comparable states were able to resolve the question of what kind of state and society they wanted their country to be. They did it through the agency of a nationalist party, charismatic leadership and political institutions.
Pakistan found itself in too much of a deficit in every quality that could keep the country on track for achieving the vision that the founders had outlined.
Quaid outlined Eight important characteristics of vision for a better future of Pakistan which can certainly bring a positive and qualitative change in the country are: providing compulsory and good quality education to all the school-going children of Pakistan regardless of their economic or social background; providing the youths of Pakistan better employment opportunities without compromising on merit; emancipation of women and utilizing their talent in a productive manner focusing on human development particularly by building modern infrastructure, enhancing per capita income and gross domestic product; enforcing the rule of law and writ of the state, eradicating corruption and nepotism at all levels by inculcating better work ethics and promoting tax culture, upholding of merit and accountability in all the professions; providing access to basic utilities particularly clean and safe drinking water, electricity, gas, efficient and affordable public transport to the people of Pakistan; following a policy of self-reliance by depending on national resources instead of seeking foreign aid and assistance and an independent foreign policy which can rehabilitate self-esteem, honor, dignity and sovereignty of the country.
The characteristics mentioned above cannot be achieved unless a practical methodology is formulated by the national leadership of Pakistan with clear vision, commitment and dedication. Recently on 25 July general elections were held in the country and a new government got in the driving seat to run the country with the hope that the new government will work on Quaid’s vision and take Pakistan to new heights.
As Quaid said, “With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.”
With the aim of prosperous Pakistan, the former government of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) launched 7 Pillars of Vision 2025. These pillars of Vision 2025 are based on the imperatives of embracing change and transformation and to create new opportunities based on our innate strengths. Pakistan’s untapped potential provides room for optimism that Pakistan could emerge as a great nation and economic power if resources are generated, managed and used efficiently.
While going through the document, one can realize that managing the 7th most populous country of the world is a gigantic task but managing it during transition amidst internal and external challenges is even more demanding.
Published in Melange intl. Magazine in August 2018.
