71 years on: ‘Strive for inclusive, democratic Pakistan’

Scholar urges people to understand and follow Iqbal and Quaid’s vision of Pakistan

Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam throughout their struggle in Pakistan movement envisioned an inclusive, progressive and tolerant state, where every citizen shall have equal rights regardless of caste, creed, language and faith, said Prof. Fateh Muhammad Malik, renowned literary critic and scholar.

He was delivering a lecture titled “Pakistan’s 71 years of Independence: Envisaging Future” on the eve of Independence Day, organised by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) at Islamabad.



Prof Fateh said that there had a fundamental difference between the founders of Pakistan and the then clergy on very creation of the homeland for the Muslim of sub-continent.

There had been diverse understanding of Islamic concept of the state, the then clergy was opposing the creation of Pakistan whereas Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Muslim League accepted what historians claim as Iqbal’s dream of Pakistan.

He said the youth now should learn history of Pakistan to reach the real truth. “Though after a long struggle we have acquired a piece of land, but the dreams and vision of Quaid and Iqbal could not be fulfilled even after 71 years of independence,” the professor said. “We had chosen the wrong path after assassination of Quaid-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan, which led to slavery of the United States of America (USA),” he said. Prof Fateh said the country needs a leadership which could follow the correct path of Pakistan Movement and steer the country towards prosperity and an inclusive and democratic Pakistan.



The debate on Islamic or secular state was largely misguided, rather people should learn and understand the 1946 manifesto of All India Muslim League, which would enlighten them about Quaid’s vision of Pakistan.  “We should now strive and struggle for real Pakistan as envisioned by Iqbal and Quaid”, he suggested.

SDPI Senior Policy Advisor Shafqat Munir said: “we need to understand the importance of independence in its true spirit.” There were millions of stateless people including Rohingya Muslims who have no country and citizenship and hence were deprived of their rights. “We have to celebrate the 71st Independence Day with the pledge to make the country a truly inclusive and a tolerant society.”

Earlier in the morning SDPI staff and members of civil society also planted sapling of trees to mark 71 years of independence.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2018.