National identity: Youngsters must be taught about Pakistan’s ideology

He said that those unaware of historical facts were still demanding a presidential form of government in the country

RAWALPINDI: Calling for the revival of Pakistan’s ideological foundations, leader of the upper house Raja Zafarul Haq has said that it is imperative that the ideology of Pakistan is inculcated in the minds of youngsters.

He was speaking at a seminar organised by the Jinnah Thinkers Forum at the Anjuman-e-Faizul Islam in Rawalpindi to mark the 124th birth anniversary of Fatima Jinnah on Monday.

“Educating the new generation about the Pakistan Movement is our prime duty which,” Haq said, “had not been fulfilled.” “It is high time that we focus our attention on fulfilling this duty,” he added.

He was of the view that nations who do not give due importance to their national history, are destined to suffer. National development can only be ensured by preserving the ideology of Pakistan, he stressed.



He said that those unaware of historical facts were still demanding to adopt a presidential form of government in the country. Pakistan, he recalled, has already witnessed a failed experiment of the presidential system which resulted in the division of East and West Pakistan and culminated in the creation of Bangladesh.

“It was that same split which led to the creation of Senate and equal representation of all provinces was ensured. However, there was a dire need to strengthen that balance again,” he added.

Haq said that Fatima Jinnah, in line with the principles envisaged by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, strongly supported a parliamentary form of government.

“We must follow the great struggle the Muslim women of Indian sub-continent undertook,” he said while dilating on her life.

“[From her struggle] we draw lessons of sacrifice and unconditional support for a noble cause.”

Pakistan, he said, was an ideological state which had been formed on the basis of religion and that the founder of the country had strived to secure a separate identity for Muslims of the subcontinent and created Pakistan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 1^st, 2017.