Perveez Musharraf’s speech on the Birthday of Quaid-e-Azam

A Loyal, truthful,  honest and thoughtful speech by the Perveez Mushraf on December 25,2001.  At the time of his presidency. Depicts what we have achieved since independence. Thanks to our dear Quaid-e-Azam.

“As I stand here today to mark the conclusion of the year of the Quaid I ponder in wonderment at his greatness and his unique achievements. In the words of the famous historian, Stanley Wolpert I quote, “Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation state Muhammad Ali Jinnah did all three”, Unquote There can not be a more fitting and better deserved tribute to the father of this nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

25 Dec 1876, the birth of the Quaid and 14 Aug 1947, the birth of Pakistan. Both, the Quaid and Pakistan, are incomplete without the other. Today, we gather to salute this man, who gave us an identity-Pakistan.

Today I ask all those who consider themselves the sole custodians of Islam: can there be a better Muslim in the present times than this great man who created this citadel of Islam? It is fitting, therefore, that we look at our own conscience as a nation and assess our own deeds as his followers and admirers.

Let us cast our thoughts back to the chaos and confusion of 1947: what did we face then?

• – Despair and difficulties:
• – Our very survival-questionable.
• – Sustainability of Pakistan-doubtful.
• – Finances to run the country-coffers empty.
• – Governmental institutions-non-existent.
  Millions homeless.
• – Neighbour-not reconciled and hostile.
• – Nation’s defence-weak.
• – Yet, with faith in Allah and the will to succeed we converted:- Chaos into order:
• – Despair into confidence.
• – Doubtful sustainability into unquestionable reality—.
• – Incohesive defence into united and motivated force.
• – Disorganised functioning into institutionalized governance.

“How did all this phenomenal transformation occur? A leader with unquestionable integrity, honour, dignity and honesty led, and the people rose to the occasion. We proved all dooms day Pundits wrong.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Where there is Unity, Faith and Discipline Mountains can be scaled, oceans can be crossed and skies can be reached. The early years of Pakistan seem like good old days, a past remembered with nostalgia. Our elders call it a happy dream. Why do we have nightmares now instead of those happy dreams? What was Quaid’s vision? What have we achieved? Are we following his path or deviated from it? Let us draw lessons from the Quaid.

On 11 Aug 1947, in his address to the Constituent Assembly, Quaid-e-Azam said, I quote ‘you are free you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state” Unquote.

Also on 10 March 1944, in his address to the Aligarh Muslim University Union he said, I quote ‘No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women are side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs.It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the house as prisoners. I do not mean that we should imitate the evils of western life. But let us try to raise the status of our women according to our own Islamic ideals and standards”, Unquote.

The Quaid believed in Pakistan as a welfare state, drawing inspiration from the tenets of true Islam, built on foundations of democracy with respect and protection for the individual, with equal rights for al men, women and children irrespective of their religious faith or political views. What have we done to this vision? Leave aside tolerating other religions we refuse to accommodate views of various sects in our own religion. We are killing each other for difference in Fiqas and Muslaqs. We have undermined Islam to a level that people of the world associate it with illiteracy, backwardness, intolerance, obscurantism and militancy.

“How do we treat our women? We still take them to be second class citizens. While Islam gives them an equal status, it is the supposed custodians of Islam who undermine their role.

The Quaid was extremely conscious of the prevailing social evils in society. On 11 Aug 1947 while taking over as Governor General of Pakistan in his address to the Constituent Assembly he said, I quote” One of the biggest curses from which the sub-continent is suffering is bribery and corruption. That really is a poison. We must put it down with an iron hand. Along with many other things, good and bad, has arrived the great evil of nepotism and jobbely. This evil must be crushed relentlessly. I want to make it quite clear that I will not tolerate any kind of jobbely or nepotism or any influence directly or indirectly brought to bear upon me”. Unquote.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Corruption and nepotism has eaten us up like termites from within. The country is in a debt trap, looted by its elite and leaders, with its honour and dignity compromised and its future generations held to ransom. A state of degeneration had reached where earning and living on ill-gotten Haram wealth was accepted by society and no more held as shameful.Merit became the greatest victim of nepotism Giraeen bazzi, cronyism, family links were used for professional acceptance and advancement to such an extent that it caused despondency, disillusionment and hopelessness in people with merit. Today we are in a state where incompetence and mediocrity reigns supreme.

At the time of independence our bureaucracy played a key role in establishing governance and creating institutions of State. While addressing Government officers on 14 April 1948 in Peshawar the Quaid had this to say, I quote ” you occupy very important positions in the administration. The first thing is that you should never be influenced by any political pressure, by any political party or any individual politician. If you want to raise the prestige and greatness of Pakistan, you must not fall victim to any pressure, but do your duty as servants of the people and the State, fearlessly and honestly. Governments are formed, governments are defeated. Prime Ministers and Ministers come and go but you stay on. Your duty is only to serve the Government loyally and faithfully, but at the same time maintaining your high reputation and prestige.”

Courtesy : InMySense

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