Dawn was founded by Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In a run-up to his birthday celebrations this year, tell us, and the Quaid, in one sentence how you think Jinnah would have viewed his and our Pakistan today. Please give your name, age, profession and location at the end of your message. For example, “Pakistan is indeed your dream come true.” —Shehla Mirza, 27, physician, Peshawar
A selection of these comments will be published in the Quaid-i-Azam Day (December 25) Special edition of Dawn.
Persons like our great Quaid borns rear in history – changing the course of history, struggling tirelessly hard for achievement of goal – that he did for creation of a muslim land, pakistan, let us be true to his teaching and strive to learn teaching of that great man, follow his footsteps. Long live Quaid-e-Azam.
Mr.Jinnah would have felt hopeful on realizing the massive potential our country has, but would have sadly viewed the ‘individual’ aspirations and goals of its citizens, when all he and his devoted companions achieved was due to their collective efforts for a common goal! -Maryam Asim, 23 years, Civil Engineer, Karachi.
I’m sure if Jinnah was around he would’ve been heartbroken but, he would’ve also led the Pakistani people to rise against the evils of corruption, sectarian violence, mindless ideologies and terrorism.
What Pakistan needs today is to stand-up and FIX the utter chaos created by the selfish political class and the religious fanatics. The rebellion will need to led by one leader with integrity, wisdom and resolution like that of Quaid.
ARSH, New Delhi, India
Today Pakistan is at 180 angle that was predicted by our great leader… There is no faith, unity, honesty..
Khaqan, 23, Engineer, Islamabad.
Quaid-i-Azam would be extremely saddened i what state he sees pakistan today in, because him as well as all optimisitc believers who are faithful to religion, and our country who have overcome and surpassed many luring obstacles that may attract the unfaithful towards corruption, exploitation know that these are not the true colors of Pakistan.
Hoorain Khan
21, USA, STUDENT
Jinah would probably be extremely unhappy with Pakistan today, for the following facts
1. Partition of Pakistan, creation of Bangladesh, because east Pakistanis were not given equal rights, probably because they are dark skinned
2. No real institutions exist in Pakistan, except the army
3. Feudalism, that is un-Islamic, is rampant and approximately 60 million Pakistani farmers are subject to slavery (Unusary high interest by landlords). Feudalism is un-Islamic and makes Pakistan a hypocritical Islamic state.
4. Finally relations with your neighbors, specifically India are still not peaceful
I know Pakistan has made some progress and there are positives, however the negatives far outweigh the positives.
Vivek, USA
The following verse and quote is a sumation of ‘Jinnah’ and what he wanted:
“The Quranic ordinance: whoever chooses for himself a sect in Islam, the
exalted Prophet will have nothing to do with him” (6:159-160).
“When the great Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, was questioned about his sect, he responded:
“Tell me, which sect the Prophet preached and to what sect his noble Companions belonged.”
( Our Beacon)
He would remind us “the motto was unity, faith and discipline… act on it!”
Huma Shah, Lawyer, Lahore
Great Quaid was very progressive leader and he must say: whatever happened so far, lets put all energies again and build Pakistan since we have learned lesson by trying worst people but its time to rethink and act. Babar Khan, 27 Trainer Islamabad
“If military cannot stay out of power, then there was no need to replace the Raj”. Zaahir Shah, Business, US.
Quaid will ask every Pakistani, why you have given so much importance to mullah who was totally against the creation of Pakistan
Regards
Naseer Ahmad
Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
May Allah bless his soul, had vision which involves Pakistan as the Best Economy in the whole world, At fore front of high teach technology, Best Financially, Best Health care facilities, Best Education system, Best Politically, Best infrastructure, Best Social Security to Elderly People, and Best Social Security System for those in need.
Inshallah One day We will look back to those mistakes that were made in the past and we will say: we will never ever again make the same mistakes again.
Lets pray to the Almighty Allah make Pakistan the remodel for the rest of Muslim country as Moderate, Gentle and caring people yet Very hard working nation.
Deedar Ali
Sydney Australia
Quaid-e-Aazam would say that in today’s Pakistan, the basic pillar of unity he has placed in the nation is almost devastating.
Muhammad Ishaq, 21, Student, Peshawar.
The saddest thing is Pakistani leaders forgot, what Jinnah stood for. Jinnah fought for independence based on Muslim majority, but there was no leader in Muslim League who stood for liberal values and institutional building. Everybody knew Jinnah stood for Islamic state, but only few knew he also stood for liberal values. Leaders who came after Jinnah neither had vision nor credibility, forget about respect for institutions. Certainly, Jinnah would have felt bad for the current situation. A liberal, stable, prosperous, peaceful Pakistan is vital for the growth of South Asia. May God bless SOUTH ASIA !!!
Raja Ram
Chennai.
I think that Jinnah stood for independence based on Muslim equality rather than Muslim majority. Equality for everyone in Pakistan was his pronounced goal. All problems today in Pakistan stem from Muslims considering themselves superior to others which has grown to some Muslims considering themselves more Muslim than others. Had Jinnah been alive today he would have been considered a non-muslim due to the sect of islam he followed.
Raj Rajendra
Finance Manager
USA
Very diffficult to comment on this topic but still I would say that In Heaven Jinnah must be requesting ALMIGHTY to create another honest leader to paksitan because its not end and still a true leader can bring this indirectsd Nation on track.For this purpose two things are needed to do,one is to educate the people of pakistan and last but not the least is the JUSTICE………..
Zakir Ali,24,Banker,Lahore
It’s easy to comment. He would be feeling sad today for the fact that he did not abolish the feudal system and suppress the feudal lords when he had a chance. Now the country is still run by the feudal lords who don’t value the common folk’s basic human rights but selfishness of themselves. This how it was then before the partition and how it is now. Look at the neighbor and the problems in pockets of India where feudals ran the system such as Chattisgarh, Telangana and so forth. Due to this problem, India faced with Naxalites and the Pakistan with Taliban. Final comment….Mr. Jinnah would say “Oh God, give me another chance so I will do it right this time”. Shawn, 47, Dallas/Fort Worth, USA
Mr. Jinnah would be very disappointed that country did not elect or produce a single leader since his death, he would still be proud of the people and they’re struggle to persevere! Amir Bhatti, Islamabad, Pakistan!
Mr. Jinnah would be very disappointed if he was alive today, that his name after all the hard work to have a country for Muslims has been replaced by the most corrupt rulers and these rulers now display their wife pictures all over ( Benazir Bhutto ) who did absolutely nothing for the country but made it more corrupt by supporting her husband known all over the world as one of the most lousy and corrupt in the history of Pakistan…
on viewing Pakistan of today Quaid will say,
” oh! what is this?…. lets start Pakistan movement again…..” Muhammad sohail riaz, 36, Engineer, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
quaid would have been very upset to see the Pakistani people who just want to blame each other no pragmatic approach.
No set of politician can do that. We have allot of problem and big one is administration.
If Jinnah viewed his Pakistan today then he will definitely say”If this is the idea of Pakistan where there is a lot of corruption,caste discrimination, poverty & people r fighting for just basic necessities of life,then i better return this country to the Britishers because the people of Pakistan do not deserve it.
Most of his life Jinnah upheld the dream of a united and secular India, where people of all faiths could live in peace and harmony. Partition was never his idea. He accepted it only as a las t resort.
Zafar Malik
IT professional, New York.
Zafar,
There lies the irony. India upholds the secular value and unity in diversity, though we are still far from being perfect. Everyone knows the path, Pakistan has taken. You can see that he completely misjudged us, both India and Pakistan.
-Pravin
“The land is there but the nation is missing, stand up and unite and build the country as we wished.”
Tahir islam, 28, Lawyer,London
Jinnah would have seen Pakistan opposite of what he envisioned; corruption ridden, week central government, feudal dynasties (i.e. Bhuttos), attack on minorities, a way too powerful military/ISI, sectarian violence, but midst of all this he would have seen potential, resources, and resilience of Pakistani people as well, who deserve much better and much more!
Syira Mughal, 20, Student, New York
” The land is there but the nation is missing, stand up and unite again build the country as we wished. ” Tahir Islam, 28,Lawyer, London