KARACHI: The struggle for a separate Muslim country started on 23rd of March, 1940 (84 years ago).
Faced with an unending ordeal of inequality, disparity and discrimination in that era of oppression, the Muslims were subjected to an intellectual, political and educational decay as the colonial rulers’ considered them rivals and immediately tilted to the socio-economic, political and education empowerment of the Hindus after dethroning Mughal emperors under the guise of East India company.
During that era of darkness and oppression, the Muslims were given a new hope and direction by the renowned educationist and political thinker, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, who instilled a new vigor and dynamism among Muslims following an inspirational teachings of the great religious leaders, Mojadad Alf Sani and Shah Waliullah.
Brought about an intellectual revolution among the Muslims through educational, political and social reforms, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan on one side nullified the malicious propaganda of the colonial rulers, hindus and pessimist forces and brought Muslims of British India out of the ominous and oppression on the other side.
Sir Syed had founded All India Muhammadan Educational Conference (AIMEC) Aligarh in 1886, which empowered the Muslims of modern education, socio-economic development and political unity enabling them to regain their past glory.
Sir Syed’s multi reforms had excelled Muslims in education, social, economic and political sciences and resultantly their voices were heard strongly by the British rulers. Under the flag of All India Muslim League (AIML) founded on December 30, 1906 at Dhaka, the Muslims got united by giving new impetus to independence movement.
The independence movement had witnessed further momentum after Quaid-e- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had spearheaded it after formally joining AIML in 1913 and outlining of an independent state for Muslims majority provinces in the North Western India by the great poet philosopher Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal during historic Allahabad address in 1930.
Allama Iqbal became the first politician to articulate the two nations theory that Muslims were a distinct nation and deserved political independence from other regions and communities of the united India.
Pakistan movement had passed through different phases and finally achieved its practical shape in 1933 during a high-level gathering in London where Chaudhary Rehmat Ali presented the name of Pakistan.
The Muslims under leadership of Quaid e Azam gathered at Iqbal park in Lahore on 23rd March, 1940 where they passed the historic Pakistan’s Resolution. Following adoption of the Pakistan Resolution, Quaid-e-Azam reorganized AIML on modern lines and made repeated visits to all Muslims majority provinces including KP (earlier called NWFP) to mobilize masses for the creation of Pakistan.
Committed for the noble cause, the legendary Quaid received a historic welcome when he visited Khyber Pakthunkhwa and Islamia College Peshawar (ICP) in 1945 where a sea of people from KP and Merged Areas (erstwhile Fata) arrived to see a few glimpses of their beloved leader.
It was the love of the people of KP with the Quaid that AIML secured over 50 seats in the province during 1946 elections and after that historic victory, nobody could stop the independence movement from here.
Quaid received historic welcome in KP where millions of people arrived through buses, rickshaws, rails, bicycles, trucks and foots assured all out support to him for Pakistan.
Following strong commitment and dedicated political struggle by the Muslims under leadership of Quaid e Azam, Pakistan came into being on 14th August, 1947 on world map within seven years after adoption of the Pakistan Resolution on 23rd March, 1940.

APP Adds: The nation celebrated Pakistan Day on Saturday with National zeal and fervour, reaffirming the commitment to work hard for the development, stability, and unity of Pakistan.
The day was dawn with 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salute in provincial capitals while special prayers were offered in mosques after Fajr prayers for the prosperity and solidarity of the country. The national flag was hoisted on major government buildings.
The main feature of the day was the grand military parade in Islamabad where contingents of three armed forces and other security forces conducted march past while fighter planes presented aerobatic maneuvers.
Besides President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, federal cabinet members, services chiefs, diplomats, notables from different walks of life and a huge number of citizens attended the ceremony.
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud was the guest of honour in the military parade while the contingents of China and Azerbaijan were also being featured in the parade.
President Asif Ali Zardari in his speech said that Pakistan was a peace-loving and responsible nuclear state but it would neither make any compromise on its sovereignty nor would tolerate any efforts of terrorists or any group aimed at destabilizing it.
“Pakistan wants relations with all its neighbors. We are a peace-loving country and a responsible nuclear state. However, let me make it clear that we will not compromise on our sovereignty… We will not tolerate any efforts by terrorists or any group to destabilize our country,” the president said addressing the Pakistan Day Parade ceremony held here.
An investiture ceremony was held at Aiwan-e-Sadar in the afternoon where President Asif Ali Zardari conferred awards and medals to personalities for their outstanding contribution in different fields. The President conferred Nishan-i-Pakistan award on Minister for Defence Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud.
The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, federal ministers, military top brass and members of the diplomatic corps.
The award was conferred in recognition of Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud’s meritorious services for Pakistan and its people, enhancing defense cooperation, strengthening of bilateral ties and contributions towards peace efforts in the region.
Sindh Governor Mohammed Kamran Khan Tessori visited the mausoleum of the Father of the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and paid rich tributes to him on the occasion of Pakistan Day.
Sindh Ministers including Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon were also present on the occasion.
Acting Governor Balochistan Capt (R) Abdul Khaliq Achakzai conferred civil awards to 15 individuals on behalf of the President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan province for their outstanding contributions in various spheres of life.
Radio Pakistan Adds: The magnificent and colourful Pakistan Day Military parade was held at Shakarparian parade avenue in Islamabad today with the three wings of the armed forces demonstrating their exemplary professionalism and military prowess.
The Saudi Defense Minister was the guest of honor on the occasion. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the services chiefs and other prominent figures attended the parade.
The impressive ceremony kicked off with the fly past of fighter jets of Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Navy. Newly inducted J-10 C, indigenously built JF-17 thunder, F-16 and Mirage fighter jets as well as AWACs, P-3C Orion and ATR participated in the fly past.
Contingents of Pakistan Army, Navy, Pakistan Air Force, Special Services Group, Frontier Corps, Rangers, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police and Gilgit Baltistan Scouts marched past the dais presenting salute to the chief guest and the guest of honor.
Mechanized columns including tanks, armored personnel carriers, rocket launchers, air defense system, guns, UAVs, short and long range missiles Ra’ad, Nasr, Babur, Shaheen , Ghauri and Ababeel were showcased on the occasion. Engineering corps also presented its state of the art equipment.
The parade featured the march past of the helicopters of Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force. The troops from Azerbaijan and China participated in the parade.
Amidst applause by the audience, formations of Sherdils and JF-17 Thunder and F-16 fighter jets presented breathtaking aerobatic maneuvers spreading a range of colours in the skies.
Floats depicting culture of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit Baltistan and the four provinces were part of the parade.
This was followed by the fly past of helicopters of Pakistan Army, PAF and Navy.
The sky divers of Special Services Group exhibited free fall from a height of ten thousand feet, carrying national flags and those of services. Afterwards, the national flag was presented to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The parade culminated with presentation of a special song themed ‘Pochay Jo Naam Koi Tum Pakistan Batana’.
Newspakistan.tv/APP