Reflection: How would Mr Jinnah address the nation today?

Express News broadcasts ‘Mein Hoon Jinnah’ to remember the Great Leader.


News Desk/arshad Shaheen December 26, 2013
Quaid’s pictures on display at Heritage Museum. PHOTO: MYRA IQBAL, INP



On the 137th birth anniversary of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Express News broadcast a campaign titled ‘Mein Hoon Jinnah’, to depict how, if he were alive today, the Founder of Pakistan would address the nation. What would he say to the countrymen? Below is an excerpt of the scripted speech:


“It deeply saddens me to see Pakistan as it is today. There is lawlessness, killing and plundering everywhere. Before August 14, 1947, we had only one slogan: “We will win Pakistan – India will be divided!”

But today, every one of you has a different slogan; everyone is struggling uselessly for an individual goal.

I united you into a nation; you divided yourself into sects and ethnic groups.

A nation that was united under one flag is divided under several flags now. I wanted a model economic system based on human equality, equity and social justice. But all institutions, even the judiciary as well as the civil and military bureaucracy, are only after their own interests – putting merit and justice aside.

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My dear Pakistanis, I hope you remember my address on August 11, 1947, when I said that Pakistan would be a country where people of every colour, race and religions would be free to practice their religious rites and rituals. This was not my own idea; fourteen hundred years ago, our Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had talked of religious tolerance in his last sermon. But this is not the case in Pakistan today.

Those who want to destabilise and destroy Pakistan did not even spare my house, a place that had special meaning for Pakistan, a place where I spent the last days of my life.

During our struggle for Pakistan, we travelled on a difficult path to achieve our objective. We accepted every challenge. We were resolute, and so we succeeded.

The problem is not that we don’t have great and brilliant minds anymore – we are just not ruled by them.

I wish and hope that at least one leader rises who could unite the entire nation under one flag. But with the vacillating rule of politicians and army men, this seems difficult. Nevertheless, don’t let their tricks let you down.

The clouds of dangers are overhead, but your country is very important and only you can help.

My dear Pakistanis, most of my contemporaries have left this world. Others, too, will be no more soon. It is you, the future generation, that has to take the helm of the country into your hands. It is not too late.

I am aggrieved but I am still hopeful. Nations have difficult times but they make amends.

I am sure a leader will appear from among you, but for that, you will have to put an end to your laziness and stupor.

As Iqbal said: Stand up, the world has started to change now/ It is your era that is beginning in the East and the West.

I pray for God to protect Pakistan.

Pakistan Paendabad! (Long Live Pakistan!)

Published in The Express Tribune, December 26th, 2013.

COMMENTS (12)

Dr.A.K.Tewari | 10 years ago | Reply

What constitute the foundation of Pakistan , Is it religion? If answer is....YES . Then it has to remain confined within the mind and heart of her people . The day it will be on streets . The result will what we find in the form of present day pakistan . Efforts are on in India too to ooze out religion through loudspeakers on the street . Be aware of it's consequences Look , the present state of Pakistan .

Dr.A.K.Tewari | 10 years ago | Reply

A muslim having modern education is no more muslim of Pakistan . Islamic Pakistan as we find today will be no more in existence . But it will take time .

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