Misperceiving Two Nation Theory
By Sajjad Shaukat
Drought in Tharparkar in Sindh, which was going on for the last three years, has been worsened recently to a dangerous level, raising the death toll of starving children. It has adequately exposed the real worth of the rulers, uncovering their verbal assertions to reach the poor masses in order to save their lives.
In this regard, Supreme Court of Pakistan, most of the political parties like PTI and even the leader of PPP, Makhdoom Amin Fahim have held Sindh government led by Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah responsible for Tharparkar’s drought tragedy.
But, in order to divert the attention from the irresponsibility of their government in Sindh, PPP leader Shehla Raza has misperceived the ideological foundation of Pakistan. She has tried to hide criminal acts of negligence to create speculations among the loyal and patriotic people of Pakistan by suggesting to them that the very slogan of Pakistan, “Pakistan KA Matlab Kia, La-e-Laha-illallah” was not associated with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In this respect, Shehla Raza stated on Capital TV that this slogan was never part of Pakistan movement and that she was ready to debate the issue at any forum. She argued that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in his address had said that all sects are free to offer prayers according to their religion. Thus, she expressed her skewed ideas, based on immature and reckless thoughts. She seems totally confused on Quaid-e-Azam’s vision for Pakistan and tried to puzzle the devoted audiences of Pakistan. She not only tried to distort the history, but also injured the feelings of people by attempting to create misgivings about Pakistan.
Perhaps Shehla Raza does not know that Two Nation Theory
which was basis of the Ideology of Pakistan, was kept alive from Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to Quaid-e-Azam. Undoubtedly, Two Nation Theory stated that Muslims of the Sub-continent have their own Islamic culture, traditions and religion which are quite different from those of Hindus.
In accordance with the Two Nation Theory, Allama Iqbal had demanded a separate land for the Muslims, where they could live freely according to their own religion, culture and social norms. Both Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam endorsed the Ideology of Pakistan which is based upon the Islamic principles. Although Muhammad Ali Jinnah had said that that all minorities and sects will live freely according to their religious norms, yet he never rejected the Two Nation Theory or Ideology of Pakistan, as misinterpreted by Shehla Raza.
Notably, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his sermon at Hajjatul Wida issued directions for protection of life, property and dignity of the whole mankind. The sermon became a charter of democracy which was included in the constitutions of the western elected governments in one way or the other.
However, the Constitution of 1973 which was adopted during the PPP founder, Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (The late), was signed by the members of all political and religious parties. It declares the country, The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and clearly mentions that Pakistan is basically a democracy, guided by the Islamic principles and values—no law would be made contrary to Quran and Sunnah—the government will made efforts to implement Islamic system in future. So, the Constitution itself verifies the Ideology of Pakistan which emanates from the Two Nation Theory.
There is no controversy regarding the foundation of the country, while its ideology is free from Talibanization, as Taliban want to impose their own self-perceived agenda of Islam on majority of Pakistanis. And Islam does not allow elimination of innocent persons through suicide attacks, bomb blasts, beheadings and targeted killings.
Unfortunately, whenever politicians or rulers failed in controlling any crisis, they started crafting baseless stories. Some entities try to translate the Ideology of Pakistan to suite their agenda. In these terms, Shehla Raza has diverted the attention of media and masses to hide her government’s gross negligence, which badly failed in providing food and water to the feminine-hit people of Tharparkar. Following Machiavellian diplomacy, she may save her face at political level, but, in fact, people from all segment of society have well-measured her sincerity towards Pakistan.
PPP politician, Shehla Raza must think that she is also a Muslim and she must feel shy over her ill-conceived thoughts about the Ideology of Pakistan.
In this connection, Orya Maqbool Jan has already invited Shehla Raza to visit Lahore, asking her to educate herself that the slogan, “Pakistan KA Matlab Kia, La-e-Laha-illallah” was correct and was also used by Quaid-e-Azam. So media must denounce her conceit about Quaid’s vision for Pakistan. Media must suggest to Shehla Raza that as a politician, she is the chosen icon of the country. It is her duty to defend the Ideology of Pakistan rather than creating mistrust among people.
Nevertheless, spreading speculations about the independence of Pakistan and promoting the ideals of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad who opposed its creation to earn Hindu approval in India, not only injure feelings of people, but also confuse them. Shehla Raza must correct her perception regarding the values of slogans used by the founder of Pakistan.
In every country, national slogans and symbols are representation of collective national will. At the time of partition of the Sub-continent, the entire nation used the slogan “Pakistan KA Matlab Kia, La-e-Laha-illallah” and through the power of this slogan, they united the people by making Pakistan a tangible reality. Once Pakistan was created, then all minorities and sects were free to follow their own sectarian practices and traditions of their faith. Confusion must not be created among simple people who love this country and its purpose, while believing in the Ideology of Pakistan.
Therefore, Shehla Raza is advised to rectify her misperceived thoughts about the Two Nation Theory and Ideology of Pakistan which are interrelated. She must stopped self-assumed interpretation regarding Quaid-e-Azam’s vision for Pakistan, and instead, concentrates on good governance—resolve the basic problems faced by people of Sindh, especially the masses at Tharparkar.
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