Two-nation theory debate

Letter April 04, 2012
People belonging to the South Asian Free Media Association do not believe in a separate Pakistani identity.

ISLAMABAD: This is with reference to Feisal H Naqvi’s article “Mad dogs and laal topiwallahs” (April 3). It is very strange that some Pakistanis have started criticising the two-nation theory by stating that Mohammad Ali Jinnah never proposed this theory. They cite Jinnah’s speech of August 11, 1947 to prove their viewpoint. They forget all the arguments that Jinnah had previously advanced justifying his demand for a separate country for Muslims on the basis that they were different socially and culturally from the Hindu majority.

It is very strange that people like Mr Naqvi back their viewpoint with the help of a single speech given by Jinnah. It is not clear in what context that speech was made but knowing his personality, nobody can believe that he completely changed his views after achieving his objective of a creating a separate homeland for Muslims. It is true that Jinnah never wanted a theological state for Muslims but he did believe that they were a separate nation. This is what the ideology of Pakistan is based upon and this is what Pakistanis must stick to if we do not want our separate identity to be engulfed by India.


People belonging to the South Asian Free Media Association do not believe in a separate Pakistani identity. They should know that we can have good relations with India but there has to be a reciprocal willingness on the part of Indians as well to establish peace between the two countries. As long as India continues its support for anti-Pakistan activities, we cannot regard it as a friend.


Dr Nisar A Kayani


Published in The Express Tribune, April 5th, 2012.