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.
I read one of Jinnah’s interviews in an other English newspaper the other day ! I don’t remember the exact words but its essence was that Jinnah knew about the maladies and hardships this country would face and also he knew that Pakistan would suffer in terms of resources and industry. He was well aware of the fact that this country would always lag India in economy. The only reason he gave to found Pakistan was emancipation of Muslims in a Hindu majority area and that’s it! But he justified his point by mentioning that Pakistanis are hardy people, they can overcome any impediment and can sustain no matter what catastrophe they have to face! So, this suggests that he pretty much knew what future of Pakistan held! Fauiqe Yousaf, 20, Engineering Student, Rawalpindi.
“He would request Almighty to give him one more life; to show us how a country is run selflessly, to bring Pakistan back to life and to make this battered lot a nation once again” – Muhammad Khurram Shahzad, 33, Electrical Engineer, Islamabad
A humane and tolerant society.
Saqib Sharif, 38, PhD Student, New Zealand
he will regret his efforts and struggle for the making of Pakistan after observing apathy of his people, intolerance, corruption and religious fundamentalism.
Shehnaz, 23, Student, Gilgit
he was genuinely a secular leader who had innate desire to douse the engulfing fire of religious bigotry, hatred and communal disharmony between hindues and muslim. He was truly a saint who bear all the pains for the sake of his beloved people.
Quaid-e-Azam being a true leader must have given us hope and would have said:
“Review history of all great nations and you will believe with me, if only that we hold together, ‘We’ are a great ‘Nation’ in the making. Pakistan Zindabad.”
Ijaz Ahmad, 42, Business Management, Islamabad
He might have said:
“My idea for Pakistan was not for a terrible state instead i want to establish a state based on justice, equality fraternity and tolerance”.
He would have taken out “Islamic” out of country’s name and constitution. 36. Singapore
If Jinnah come today to see the Pakistan, He would say, why I insisted for the Partition and why I demanded the formation of Pakistan
Sanjay Deswal, 34, Amritsar, Panjab, India.
Today Pakistan need a sagious qauid-e-Azam ,as he played vitol role in making of pakistan now he has to do pivotal act that brings the save of my mother land
Ali Akhtar , 20 , Electrical Engineer ,kotri
Jinnah addressing Aligarh Muslim University students was so full of enthusiasm that he called them “a minni minni Pakistan.” One expects from the Alig Old Boys to stand out and deliver.
Sher Mohammad, 86, graduate, Karachi.
He would say “How beautifully you destroyed my dream and get back Pakistan as before, I think I will have to work hard again for independence but this time not from Britishers but from my own land vulturous politicians”
Irfan Abro , 22,
Medical student, Larkana.
Mr Jinnah must have lauded the efforts of few people who are working against all odds in current situation and would have encouraged them for working more better for the prosperous Pakistan. Pakistan Zindabad, Saman Rauf, 28 (scientist) Islamabad
The Quaid would think about the inheritors of the seat he once occupied… how crooks and con men now constitute the parliament of Pakistan.
Quaid would have been distressed to know of the indiscipline of Pakistans men in Uniform for 4 martial laws and continued interference in the matters of state
The Quaid would have been proud of the courage and integrity of DawnNews
Quaid was a secular muslim. If he were alive to day he would have been very sad to see the mess in which the country has plunged itself. Gopal Patel, Asst professor, Jaipur(India).
” While in ‘sajda’, with my trembling hands, eyes filled with tears, requested to my Allah, “we need your special favor regarding Pakistan, because we love Pakistan, we need leader like Quaid & people like was in 1947 so that to work all together for our Pakistan”.
M Qasim Shoaib, 23, UET Lahore
Although conditions are bad, Alhamdulillah, after so many years of trial and tribulations, Pakistan is still alive. I cannot imagine what would have happened if the Almighty had not given us Pakistan through the struggles of the Quaid and our forefathers. A greater India with New Delhi as capital would have been horrible. Now all we need is an honest to the core leader with vision like the Quaid to lead us by example. Imran Khan is the only one that seems to fit that mould. If Mahathisr could raise Malaysia to its current height and status, Inshallah, if given 10 years, Imran will do the same for Pakistan. Yawar, 51, Engineer, Maryland USA
Had he been alive, we would have achieved all what he wanted. So he would not be viewing the present state of affairs in Pakistan. It would have been a different story. His soul might be viewing all this, and definately it’s a shocked soul. —Shahper Hassan, 36, Journalist, UAE.
His Pakistan? This is no more “his” Pakistan. We snatched “his Pakistan” away from Quaid, the day we RE-named it to Islamic Republic. He would have never approved it and it has been downhill since. Hence, there is no doubt that he would be shattered at what we have done to his secular vision for Pakistan (especially for minorities and keeping religion away from state affairs).
Zish Baloch, 30, Engineer, Auckland
Quaid was a person of great will determination full of stamina and drive.I am sure if me comes again then after admonishing us we will again put us all on the right path.Pakistan Zindabaad.May God always showers his pleasures and bounties on your soul Ameen.Naim ur Rehman. Retired Corporate Employee
Being a reader of Dawn since well over 60 years, the great Quaid-e-Azam gave us Pakistan through his astute perseverance, but this to be nation of Islamic Renaissance got quickly derailed by even then corrupt politicians and landlords and today is totally mismanaged in every field and corrupt beyond imagination leaving only radical surgery by honest and capable persons as the hope of the Nation founded by the Quaid.
72 years. Retd. CFO and current GM and Managing Trustee
Mohammad Ali Jinnah will request to Pakistani people to make Pakistan an extremely good country and please do not destroy it.
If he alive, he would stop “Tabligh activities” in Pakistan which has negative development.
He would increase braveness “1965” for Pak Army and authorities to disinfect our Pakistan’s virus and teach the agencies that what is development and right policy? “NO TARGET KILLING”. Brothers please don’t kill each other “BE PROUD OF PAKISTAN”
Inayatullah 27, Engineer, Pakistan