As the day of 14th august draws closer, people around the country illuminate the buildings with green lights and embellish schools, public places, and houses with green flag. As it comes near, it brings wave of patriotism and love for the country among the people. Stalls selling flags, badges, caps, and all sort of other patriotic ornaments on every street corner are seen. Moreover, students of schools, colleges and universities are prepared for different extra curriculum activities. People go visit national monuments. Firework shows are organized all around the country. This day brings happiness itself.
Since Pakistan is the result of continuous struggle of Muslims, countless sacrifices, and efforts of all leaders. We tend to forget the events and ideologies that brought this day to light. Looking back before 1947, this very nation did not exist. It was brought into existence by people who sought a nation where they could practice Islam freely. Those great men fought to get and independent state where Muslims could live their lives according to the teachings of Islam. This country was brough into freedom by brave men in the Indian cabinets who knew Muslims couldn’t thrive until they had a nation of their own.
This idea started back in 1867 when the Hindi Urdu controversy started. The controversy sowed the seeds of realization among the moderate Muslims that two different nations could not run and live in the same country. Muslims and Hindus could not be friends having vast numbers of differences which include religious, cultural, social, language and so on. Sir Syed Ahmed Khan along with other national leaders raised their voices against unjust attitude towards Muslims in the Sub-continent. Following Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Maulana Shaukat Ali, Amma Bi, Ali Anayat, Chaudhrey Rehmat Ali, Liaquat Ali, Allama Iqbal and the list goes on, there efforts for the cause of separate nation gave foundation to the making of Pakistan.
Throughout history, there has been great number of people whose existence has altered the course of history. Looking at the list of names of men who had a part to play in the creation of this nation, we see most of Jinnah, the true man of action and Iqbal, the person to envision it first. But it was the common people who believed in them and sacrificed their lives and properties to bring their vision into reality. None of the leader ever thought that stepping in the Indian National Congress to represent the Muslims would end up taking a sovereign state for the people.
On 6TH June 1947 the English held a referendum in the sub-continent and decided all those parts of India where there’s majority of Muslims should become an independent state now. And then on that very day of 14th August 1947 the dream of Jinnah came true and new country came to being on the Map of World. The Muslims of Sub-continent were fortunate enough. This new State was Named “PAKISTAN” by Chaudhry Rehmat Ali. Quaid e Azam was a man of belief, the man with stern nature. It is due to his firm belief and determination Pakistan came into being.
Since then 14th August is reckoned as the National Holiday in Pakistan to pay tribute to thousands of people who made selfless sacrifices for the sake of Pakistan. Unfortunately, we have not been able to serve the country with what our Quaid anticipated we will. Even after 75 years of independence, things didn’t turn out to be good as they should. These years have been dotted with events that brought the nation up and down. We are still struggling to reach our milestone and still lag far behind. Our country has become prey to nepotism and corruption. We have been afflicted by poverty, corruption, and injustice. There are many issues which the country hasn’t been able to overcome yet.
Yet there is time to awake the spirit we are inherited with. Let us not forget the sacrifices and efforts of those common people who migrated to this nation. We may have been born free, but our forefathers had to earn this freedom and not for cheap. Let not their sacrifices be forgotten or go in vain. Our Quaid rightly said,
“UNITED WE STAND, DIVIDED WE FALL!”
Written by Emaan Akbar.
