Lahore Resolution a watershed in South Asia History

Muhammad Farooq Rehmani and other prominant Kashmiris has paid rich tributes to Quaid-I-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Founder of Pakistan, Allama Iqbal Philosopher-Poet, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, pioneer of Muslim renaissance and education, Ch. Rehmat Ali and other torch-bearers of a separate Muslim home land  for Muslims in South Asia.

M.A.Jinnah’s political, philosophical, educational vision and work changed destiny of a sea of humanity living under abject poverty and slavery in the post-Mugal era, which began with the decline of Muslim rule in the 18^thcentury India, followed by brutal hangings of Muslims and non Muslim freedom fighters in the heart of Delhi. The Lahore Resolution of  23 March, 1940, that became famous by the name of Pakistan Resolution, brought unity and self-respect to Indian Muslims, who were a disgusted multitude after the first war of independence in 1957.

 Quaid-I-Azam with his visionary leadership and undaunted statesmanship and wisdom changed the dream of Ch. Rehmat Ali and Allama Iqbal into reality --defeating and foiling all enemy designs to subject India’s Muslims to another dark period of slavery under Hindu domination and  dangerous communal “Shudhi” tirade against Islam. In his early poetic -thought Iqbal made passionate appeal to the concept of ‘ cultural unity in diversity’ and Quaid-I-Azam owing to his great contribution was known as ‘The Ambassador of  Hindu-Muslim Unity.’ Both of them  later  discovered salvation of South Asia in either a separate Muslim India or in Pakistan as an independent and sovereign state.

 ‘Quaid-i-Azam was sincere, honest with his extra-ordinary vision, wisdom and statesmanship and kindness of Allah, he won the day amidst communal tirade of Hindu fanatics and great storms of the time. Indeed, Jinnah and other dreamers of Pakistan had no doubts about the ideological, social and economic contours of the new Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which he wanted to build on the concept of social and economic justice for all irrespective of the race and religion of the citizens of the new State. He believed in political and economic independence, social justice, religious toleration and an independent foreign policy, and was against any exploitation of the people by vested interests in every form and manifestation. He never wanted to start cudgels with his neighbors either, especially Hindustan after its freedom. But Allah according to his divine laws had to test the next generation of leaders of Pakistan, who during the last 63 years could not transform Pakistan into an Islamic-sovereign, social welfare state. Pakistan today, he pointed out, ‘is in the grip of many political, economic and social evils and evil-doers, besides terrorism and illegal occupation of Kashmir by  India. India has not co operated in resolving of any  of its disputes with Pakistan; Kashmir being the most volatile conflict because of India’s denial to give the right of self-determination to its people. State terrorism has been bleeding Kashmir for the last two decades and the unfortunate paradise on earth is in ruins.

 ‘ Pakistan should follow in letter and spirit the ‘Lahore Resolution of 1940’ in line with the ‘Islamic and economic resurgence’ as seen by Sir syed Ahmad Khan, Ch.Rehmat Ali, Dr Iqbal, taking a quantum leap from current unjust economic system, which has not established a truly Islamic economic and social order  according to the dream of Dr. Iqbal and Quaid-i-Azam. The state of the dreams of Jinnah and Iqbal is threatened by terrorism both  externally as well as internally. The Lahore resolution and the glorious Pakistan movement in all earnestness calls upon the leadership and the people of Pakistan to work honestly for social, economic and communal justice in all spheres to establish a just democratic system. It has also to take the struggle for the liberation and right of self-determination for Jammu and Kashmir to its logical end. Only an economically independent, politically democratic and educationally rich Pakistan can usher with an era of peace and stability in and outside of its boundaries.’