Our Announcements

Not Found

Sorry, but you are looking for something that isn't here.

Posts Tagged QUAID-I-AZAM

Quaid’s Vision on Kashmir Issue and Prevailing Situation

Posted by admin in Kashmir is Burning, KASHMIR UNDER INDIAN OCCUPATION BLEEDS, KASHMIR-CARDINAL ISSUE, KASHMIRI GENOCIDE BY INDIAN ARMY, Rape of Kashmiri Women By Indian Army on February 6th, 2016

Round Table Discussion on 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Quaid’s Vision on Kashmir Issue and Prevailing Situation 

Organized by
MUSLIM Institute

MUSLIM Institute organized a round table discussion on “Quaid’s Vision on Kashmir Issue and Prevailing Situation” at National library, Islamabad. Eminent scholars and political leaders from Pakistan participated in the discussion and expressed their views on the subject. Convener Tehreek-e-Hurriyat Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan Chapter, Ghulam Muhammad Safi, Former Ambassador & Renowned Columnist Asif Ezdi, Renowned Columnist, Ms. Ayesha Masood and Research Associate MUSLIM Institute Mr. Tahir Mehmood, and others spoke on the event.
img

Honorable Speakers expressing their views observed as under:

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah believed that without Kashmir, Pakistan is incomplete. He tried his best to liberate Kashmir from Indian illegal occupation. Quaid’s commitment with Kashmir and Kashmiri people was unfaltering. Quaid’s vision on Kashmir is unequivocal. Quaid knew very well the importance and significance of Kashmir for Pakistanis as well as for Kashmiris. He paid attention to the miserable conditions of Kashmiris even when there
According to Dr. Riaz Ali Shah’s diary, Quaid-e-Azam said, during his illness in Ziarat, “Kashmir is the Jugular vein of Pakistan and no nation or country would tolerate its Jugular vein remains under the sword of the enemy”. Not only the Jugular vein of Pakistan but also that of Kashmiri community in particular has been under the sword of the enemy for the last sixty eight years. Quaid-e-Azam’s interest in Kashmir is evident from the fact that he explained the significance of the name of Pakistan to Mountbatten on May 17, 1947 as “The derivation of the word Pakistan– P for Punjab; A for Afghan (i.e. Pathans of NWFP); K for Kashmir; I for nothing because that letter was not in the word in Urdu; S for Sindh and Tan for the last syllable of Baluchistan”. was no one to heed their hues and cries. Quaid vociferously condemned the Indian aggression on Kashmir. He wanted the peaceful settlement of the dispute but he was also determined to go to any extent to liberate Kashmir from Indian clutches, which is evident from his bold step to issue orders to the then Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army, General Douglas Gracey to dispatch troops to Jammu and Srinagar. 
img

Quaid-e-Azam supported the Kashmir cause even before the independence of Pakistan. It was his desire that Kashmiris especially Muslims should get their socio economic rights and justice. During the period of Dogra Raj in Kashmir Muslims were dealt in very cruel manner, women were treated like herd of animals. In 1926 when Quaid visited Kashmir he came to know that Kashmiri Muslim sent a delegation to the then viceroy and submitted a memorandum to take notice of the miseries of Kashmiri people. That delegation when returned they were tortured, their lands were snatched. When Quaid came back, a unanimous resolution was passed in the meeting of Muslim League at Lahore, which addressed maharaja to take care of the educational and economic rights of the Muslims. Allama Iqbal was also on the same footings as Quaid, taking notice of the maltreatment of Kashmiris, in 1931 president of Muslim League Allama Iqbal declared that Muslims of Sub continent should observe 14 August as the Kashmir day. 

Quaid’s three visits to Kashmir show that he had deep interest in Kashmir and its politics. Regarding Srinagar visit of the Quaid-e-Azam in 1944, Alastair Lamb says ”M.A. Jinnah, unlike Jawaharlal Nehru was extremely reluctant at this period of time to involve himself directly (or the Muslim League which he headed) in the internal affairs of the Princely State; such action would in his eyes have been constitutionally improper.
img

Quaid-e-Azam never took stand on any such issue which was unrealistic. When a leader after long experiences takes a decision, then such decisions are ideologically very strong. Quaid e Azam after long period of time took firm decision on Kashmir. As Quaid took resolute decision on the mission of Pakistan and then translated it into actuation and finally achieved his goal. After Quaid-e-Azam we can’t see any such sort of commitment in case of Kashmir. 

India was very particular to grab Jammu and Kashmir. ‘Two-Nation Theory’ is the basis of the Ideology of Pakistan but Indian Hindu leaders tried their best to negate it. They also tried to influence Quaid-e-Azam so that he may leave his stand on ‘Two-Nation Theory’ but Quaid remain rock-like on his stance. Therefore in a bid of disapproving ‘Two-Nation Theory’ India occupied Jammu and Kashmir by force as Jammu and Kashmir was Muslim majority state contiguous to Pakistan. People of Kashmir knew very well the importance of ‘Two-Nation Theory’ and are committed to it till date. Quaid cautioned Sheikh Abdullah of Kashmir that he is playing in the hands of congress and he would regret one day and the time proved Quaid’s words. India kept ill-treating Kashmiri people and sheikh Abdullah was also not rewarded for his services. Kashmiri leaders believe that sheikh Abdullah’s lust of power exacerbated the Kashmir issue. 

Quaid was man of principles. He succeeded because of his commitment and unwavering belief in mission of Pakistan and today we need same commitment and determination. Deviation from Quaid’s vision will be extremely detrimental to stability of Pakistan if Kashmir don’t integrate with Pakistan then Pakistan will have to face grave challenges in future.
img

Pakistani leadership should remain steadfast on its just and long held stance that Kashmiris should be given right of self-determination. Without resolving outstanding issue of Kashmir, peace and prosperity in south Asia could not be achieved. Our policy makers need to follow the Quaid’s vision on Kashmir. Pakistan should always give priority to the Kashmir issue in any dialogue process with India. On the basis of Quaid’s vision on Kashmir, today we also need to design a concrete national policy on Kashmir and successive governments should follow it consistently. The current government should take firm stand and boldly express its principle stance on every forum as Quaid did in his life to defend two nation theory and Kashmir issue.

India has eroded all the state nomenclature (independent institution) of Jammu & Kashmir to bring it at par with other Indian states and to remove its special status. India wants to settle the Hindu migrants in Jammu & Kashmir to change its demography to dilute the Muslim majority status; therefore Pakistan should raise voice against this blatant violation of Justice and fair play.

Interactive Session
img

After speakers expressed their views, interactive session was held and speakers answered various questions in detail. Gist of the same has been given as what follows:

Kashmir issue is not an issue of territory but the right of self-determination of people of Jammu and Kashmir. It is not merely an issue of brutalizing Kashmiri people though this problem is a part of Kashmir issue. Still if India stops brutalizing the people of Kashmir, political issue of independence remains unresolved. Including the above mentioned points, a national policy should be formulated and tabled in the cabinet. Approval of the cabinet is mandatory thus it may become a guiding principle and nobody shall have the right to deviate from it. As whoever comes to power, disregard previous policies and tries to evolve new strategies. Same is the case with the policy of Kashmir.

We should fearlessly express our support to the struggle of people of Kashmir. Emphasis on the fallacy that Hindu and Muslim has been living together in harmony thus ‘Two-Nation Theory’ has no ground, is not a reality. Thus, implications of tempering the history may be disastrous and it is obligation upon all of us to raise our voice against this. Actually, a tiny section which is promoting this misconception is well-financed and supported by foreign powers. They don’t highlight the British rule, that how British engineered the minds of Hindus to eliminate Muslims from subcontinent. There are two types of India: one before the imperialist British rule and one after that; in former Muslims and Hindus could live together but in the latter one it was made impossible. Narendra Modi is the living example of such kind of mentality. 

Indian forces entered the Kashmir before the maharaja of Kashmir signed the instrument of accession. India states that instrument of accession was signed on 26th October and the Indian forces attacked Kashmir on 27th October, but evidence is contrary to this. However, the Kashmir issue has surpassed these technicalities and right of self-determination is the talk of the time. The relevant issues are resolutions of Security Council to which both countries agreed, though India is using delaying tactics for the implementation of these resolutions. Right of self-determination is ratified through the resolutions of the Security Council. Even if resolutions were not conferring the right of self-determination, people of Kashmir still hold this right as it is stipulated in international laws that “all people” have the right of self-determination.

, , ,

No Comments

Independence by Inam Khawaja

Posted by admin in BABA-I-QAUM PAKISTANI, QUAID-I-AZAM on May 25th, 2014

Independence

 

by

 

Inam Khawaja

 

Physically the British rule ended on 14th August 1947 but are we truly independent? On 2nd February 1835 Lord Macualay in his address in the British Parliament said:-

 

“ I have seen in this country, such moral values, people of such caliber, that I do not think we would ever conquer this country, unless we break the very backbone of this nation, which is her spiritual and cultural heritage, and, therefore I propose that we replace her old and ancient education system, her culture, for if the Indians think that all that is foreign and English is good and greater than their own, they will lose their self esteem, their native culture and become what we want them, a truly dominated nation.”

 

In the past sixty years we have done hardly anything to improve and reorient the existing education system. Instead we have allowed the mushroom growth of schools leading to British ‘O’ Level and ‘A’ Level producing youngsters totally imbibed with British values and mores. They hardly have any pride or self esteem, they think that only imported things are good and have no pride in our own things. We have gone ahead in implementing Macaulay’s agenda a step further than what the British did.

 

It is time that we take stock of ourselves and see where our present policies are leading us, Pakistan is an Islamic State and we claim to be Muslims, what we need to ask ourselves; is our education policy designed to produce good Muslims imbibed with Islamic values? Has anyone given any thought to this matter? Is the educational policy specifically designed to inculcate at least the universally accepted moral values? Unfortunately the answer to all the three questions is in the negative.

 

Lest we continue to forget; the Quaid in his address to the mammoth rally in Lahore on 30th October 1947 had instructed us that:-

 

“If we take our inspiration and guidance from the Holy Quran, the final victory I once again say will be ours. —— All I require of you now is that everyone of us to whom this message reaches must vow to himself and be prepared to sacrifice his all, if necessary, in building up Pakistan as a bulwark of Islam and as one of the greatest nations whose ideal is peace within and peace without.”

 

In the past sixty years we have continued to formulate and implement policies diametrically opposed to the Quaid’s vision. None of our policies are inspired by the injunctions of the Quran nor do the courses in our Civil Services and Armed Forces Academies emphasize that the officers must be guided by the injunctions of the Quran in their dealing with the public.

 

Regarding the bureaucracy the Quaid on 25th March 1948 in his address to the Officers at Chittagong had said:-

 

“Those days have gone when the country was ruled by the bureaucracy. It is people’s Government responsible to the people more or less on democratic lines and parliamentary practices. —— You have to do your duty as servants; you are not concerned with this Political or that political Party; that is not your business. —— The second point is that your conduct and dealings with the people in the various Departments in which you may be: wipe off that past reputation; you are not rulers. You do not belong to the ruling class; you belong to the servants. Make people feel that you are their servants and friends, maintain the highest standard of honour, integrity, justice and fair-play.”

 

The Quaid in his informal talk to the Civil Officers at Government House Peshawar on 14th April 1948 had said:-

 

“The first thing I want to tell you is this, that you should not be influenced by any political pressure, by any political party or individual politician. —– Governments are formed, Governments are defeated, Prime Ministers come and go, Ministers come and go, but you stay on, and, therefore there is great responsibility placed on your shoulders. You should have no hand in supporting this political or that political party, this political leader or that political; leader this is not your business.”

 

We celebrate the Quaid’s birthday but totally ignore his vision of what he wanted Pakistan to be. Our bureaucracy continues to behave arrogantly as rulers and that freezing atmosphere still exists. These speeches of the Quaid (of 25th March and 14 April 1948) are totally ignored by the bureaucracy because they are not the part of their training course even the media has ignored them. In fact the full text of both these speeches should be published on the date they were delivered by the Quaid and the electronic media should play their recordings.

 

The Quaid visualized Pakistan as a state having equality of man and social justice this vision is expressed in his last speech which was delivered on 1st July 1948 at the opening ceremony of the State Bank of Pakistan:-

 

“The opening of the State Bank of Pakistan symbolizes the sovereignty of our State — I will watch with keenness the work of your Research Organization in evolving banking practices compatible with Islamic ideals of social and economic life. The economic system of the West has created almost insoluble problems for humanity —– The adoption of Western economic theory and practice will not help us in achieving our goal of creating a happy and contented people. We must work our destiny in our own way and present the world an economic system based on true Islamic concept of equality of manhood and social justice. We will thereby be fulfilling our mission as Muslims and giving humanity the message of peace which alone can save it and secure the welfare, happiness and prosperity of mankind.

 

 

May the State Bank of Pakistan prosper and fulfill the high ideals which have been set as its goal.”

 

The State Bank did hardly anything in fulfilling the goal set for it by the Quaid. I doubt if the Banking Institute of Pakistan includes the above speech as a part of its curriculum. It was only when Islamic Banking was introduced in some Muslim countries that we woke up and started introducing it a few years ago.

 

 

The Quaid’s opening remarks are very significant because he equates the opening of the State Bank with national sovereignty that is independence. In essence it means that the lack of economic independence compromises national sovereignty. Within a few years after the assassination of the first Prime Minister the civil bureaucracy came into power and it did not take long in compromising national sovereignty by accepting foreign economic and military aid. But when the military assumed power they went a step further and gave bases over which Pakistan had no control.

 

The time has now come to reassert our sovereignty by first regaining economic independence and doing away with all foreign aid. This is a matter of political will because foreign aid is certainly not an economic necessity. This is very eloquently expressed with convincing facts and figures by Dr. Ishrat Hussain in his article “Is US Assistance Really so Critical for Pakistan” published in both Dawn and the Business Recorder in April 2007.

 

“The result of this analysis shown in Table II indicates that even under the worst case scenario of zero aid flows and no reimbursements for logistics services rendered to the US troops the diminution in foreign exchange receipts or budgetary resources would be insignificant – varying between 4.5% of total foreign exchange receipts to 7.2% of total budgetary expenditures. The other two indicators i. e. the proportion of total value of imports and current account receipts financed by US assistance account for 6.4% and 5.8% respectively — not worrisome amounts. —– the main argument of this analysis is that the pundits in the US who believe that they can use the leverage of US official aid to paralyze Pakistan’s economy are sadly mistaken as they have an exaggerated sense of the importance of these official flows. Any attempt to impose conditions that impinge upon the sovereignty of Pakistan or conflict with our own national interests can be resisted without creating a serious dislocation to our macro economic stability or growth prospects. This analysis explodes the popularly held myth that Pakistan is so dependent on foreign assistance for its economic survival that pulling the plug would force it to yield under this pressure.”

 

The US economic assistance for 2008 and 2009 is US$ 400 million per year plus military assistance of US$ 300 million per year this the country can easily do without with only the elimination of extravagant expenditure.

 

The government must take note of the fact that the people of all shades of opinion today are united in regaining their independence and sovereignty which was achieved by democratic means in 1947. The lawyers, the civil society, the NGOs, the opposition political parties and now even the retired military personnel are all rightly demanding; an independent judiciary, independent Election Commission, freedom of information and full fundamental rights with justice and equity in short a truly free and independent Pakistan..

 

Simultaneously Published on May 24, 2014 in Business Recorder, Pakistan

 

 

 

,

No Comments

Sovereignty – the Task Ahead

Posted by razahamad in BABA-I-QAUM PAKISTANI on August 12th, 2013

Sovereignty – the Task Ahead

By

Inam Khawaja

 

The people of Pakistan have given their verdict – PML(N) in Punjab, Baluchistan and the Centre, PTI and JI in KPK and PPP and MQM in Sindh. Once again providence has given another opportunity to us to set aside differences to achieve unity and work for the welfare of the common man. The Quaid visualized Pakistan as a state having equality of man and social justice this vision is expressed in his last speech which was delivered on 1st July 1948 at the opening ceremony of the State Bank of Pakistan:-

“The opening of the State Bank of Pakistan symbolizes the sovereignty of our State — I will watch with keenness the work of your Research Organization in evolving banking practices compatible with Islamic ideals of social and economic life. The economic system of the West has created almost insoluble problems for humanity —– The adoption of Western economic theory and practice will not help us in achieving our goal of creating a happy and contented people. We must work our destiny in our own way and present the world an economic system based on true Islamic concept of equality of manhood and social justice. We will thereby be fulfilling our mission as Muslims and giving humanity the message of peace which alone can save it and secure the welfare, happiness and prosperity of mankind. May the State Bank of Pakistan prosper and fulfill the high ideals which have been set as its goal.”

The State Bank did hardly anything in fulfilling the goal set for it by the Quaid. I doubt if the Banking Institute of Pakistan includes the above speech as a part of its curriculum. It was only when Islamic Banking was introduced in some Muslim countries that we woke up and started introducing it a few years ago. 

The Quaid’s opening remarks are very significant because he equates the opening of the State Bank with national sovereignty that is independence. In essence it means that the lack of economic independence compromises national sovereignty. Within a few years after the assassination of the first Prime Minister in October 1951 the civil bureaucracy came into power and it did not take long in compromising national sovereignty by accepting foreign economic and military aid. But when the military assumed power they went a step further and gave bases over which Pakistan had no control.  

The time has now come to reassert our sovereignty by first regaining economic independence and doing away with all foreign aid. This is a matter of political will because foreign aid is certainly not an economic necessity. This is very eloquently expressed with convincing facts and figures by the well known economist Dr. Ishrat Hussain in his article “Is US Assistance Really so Critical for Pakistan” published in both Dawn and the Business Recorder in April 2007. 

“The result of this analysis shown in Table II indicates that even under the worst case scenario of zero aid flows and no reimbursements for logistics services rendered to the US troops the diminution in foreign exchange receipts or budgetary resources would be insignificant  –  varying between 4.5% of total foreign exchange receipts to 7.2% of total budgetary expenditures. The other two indicators i. e. the proportion of total value of imports and current account receipts financed by US assistance account for 6.4% and 5.8% respectively — not worrisome amounts. —– the main argument of this analysis is that the pundits in the US who believe that they can use the leverage of US official aid to paralyze Pakistan’s economy are sadly mistaken as they have an exaggerated sense of the importance of these official flows.  Any attempt to impose conditions that impinge upon the sovereignty of Pakistan or conflict with our own national interests can be resisted without creating a serious dislocation to our macro economic stability or growth prospects.  This analysis explodes the popularly held myth that Pakistan is so dependent on foreign assistance for its economic survival that pulling the plug would force it to yield under this pressure.”

For the guidance of the civil services I under note what the founder of Pakistan Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah said on 25 March 1948;

“I know you are saddled with the old legacy, old mentality, old psychology and it haunts our footsteps, but it is up to you now to act as true servants of the people even at the risk of any Minister or ministry trying to interfere with you in the discharge of your duties as civil servants. ——-Wipe off that past reputation; you are not rulers. You do not belong to the ruling class; you belong to the servants. Make the people feel that you are their servants and friends, maintain the highest standard of honour, integrity, justice and fair-play. ——Now that freezing atmosphere must go;that impression of arrogance must go that impression that you are the rulers must go and you must do your best with all courtesy and kindness and try to understand the people”, (Dawn 26, March 1948)

 

Today these instructions of the Quaid are especially applicable to the politicians. The people of Pakistan are fed up with the arrogant behavior of the politicians and the members of the establishment who think that they are above the law. As the Quaid had said; “That freezing atmosphere must go; that impression of arrogance must go that impression that you are the rulers must go and you must do your best with all courtesy and kindness and try to understand the people.” 

The above speech of the Quaid, his speech to civil servants in Peshawar, the speech of 30, October 1947 in Lahore and the speech of 25, January 1948 in Karachi must be included in the curriculum of all the institutions for new inductees in the civil services and the armed forces of Pakistan. They must know what is expected from them by the founder – Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

There are accusations afloat of foreign ownership of some members of the press and the electronic media and that they project the agenda of the foreign owners and that their narrative is against the national interest. No one can deny that the owners determine the policy and the narrative of the media/paper. It is therefore in the national interest that PEMRA publishes the full details of the ownership of all TV channels because the people have the right to have this information.  

Now we have an independent and free press/media which must act responsibly and do away the sensationalism with which it is obsessed today. It should instead offer critique rather than just criticism of the policies and actions of the government. The electronic media has a special responsibility in changing its narrative in the national interest in the right direction 

True the task before the new governments is beset with many challenges but with political will, sincerity, selflessness and honesty these challenges can be overcome. The people of Pakistan have time and again risen to the occasion and have not flinched from any sacrifice for a national cause.  To obtain the confidence and support of the people it is essential that this ostentatious VIP culture of the past twenty five years must be discarded forthwith by visibly adopting simplicity in dress and transportation by the political leadership. 

It is essential that several think tanks are established consisting of a broad cross section of economists, entrepreneurs, engineers/technical experts, retired diplomats, retired officers of the armed forces, educationists and former Chief Justices to prepare position papers for public debate and the guidance of the government. 

If the political leaders visibly demonstrate the political will by acting in public interest then the 160 million hardworking people of Pakistan will once again prove these voices and lobbies of doom wrong by putting the shoulder to the wheel and sustaining rapid growth and achieving prosperity sooner than later.

New York 

August 10, 2013

 

, , ,

No Comments


© 2024, All Rights Reserved by Pakistan Think Tank.