Expert on international relations and former federal minister Mushahid Hussain Syed on Saturday said Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had established Pakistan on the basis of the Two-Nation Theory, which remains a matter of pride for the Muslim Ummah.
Syed was speaking at the launch of the book The Founder Voice, a compilation of Jinnah’s speeches, organised under the auspices of First Paramount Modaraba.
The book was compiled by Dr Farooq Ahmad Dar under the supervision of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting’s Directorate of Electronic Media & Publications.
Syed said Pakistan enjoys relations of respect and dignity with countries around the world, especially Islamic nations, adding that defending Pakistan is closely linked with defending the ideology of Pakistan.
He said Jinnah had demonstrated solidarity with Palestinians by supporting a resolution in 1937, and he had envisioned Pakistan not merely as a nation-state but as a dignified and influential player in global politics. “Pakistan today holds the capacity to play an important diplomatic and mediatory role in regional and international affairs.”
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that after the creation of Pakistan, the country unfortunately failed to establish the system envisioned by Jinnah and the leaders of the Pakistan Movement. “Feudal and elitist forces dominated the political and economic system from the very beginning, harming public interests and widening inequality.”
Rehman stressed the need for real systemic change through public awareness, intellectual development and political reform, saying that the JI is striving for an honest, accountable and people-friendly system. The book will help introduce the younger generations to Jinnah’s ideas, vision and struggle, he added.
Scholar and educationist Syed Jaffar Ahmed said Jinnah fought for the rights of Muslims through constitutional, legal and political means, proving that Pakistan emerged as the result of a clear ideology and a long political struggle rather than an accidental event.
Ahmed described Jinnah as an extraordinary leader whose politics were based on logic, constitutional wisdom and foresight. The gathering was also addressed by Wajeeh Hassan and Engr Naeem Ilyas Khanani, who highlighted Jinnah’s commitment to constitutionalism, democracy and public rights.
