Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah known as father of the nation of Pakistan – whose 140^th birth anniversary is being observed today – was a dynamic leader, a great political thinker and strategist, a believer in democratic values and above all one of the great nation-builders of modern times.

Quaid-e-Azam had the power to win hearts through pen, speech and vote and that’s how he achieved the dream of founding a nation. If Quaid-e-Azam were alive today, he would have been 141 years old. Pakistan would certainly have been the best democratic country. With his visionary leadership, he would have led Pakistan to democracy with shrewdness, courage, and visionary determination.

Jinnah, a leader par excellence, not only led his people to independence, but also founded a separate homeland for them, where they could mould their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Quran and traditions of Islam and cultivate their culture and civilization. This was a far greater achievement of the Jinnah than any other national liberation leader.

“We do not demand Pakistan simply to have a piece of land but we want a laboratory where we could experiment on Islamic principles.”

Currently, all the challenges that the nation is facing, invoke us to understand the message, guiding principles and the vision of Quiad-e-Azam. These are the only golden principles and solutions which can lead us towards progress as dreamt by our leader.

– Islamic constitution –

“The constitution of Pakistan has yet to be framed by the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. I do not know what the ultimate shape of the constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principles of Islam. Today, they are as applicable in actual life as they were 1,300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of men, justice and fairplay to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions…as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan. In any case, Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State – to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims_hindus, Christians, and Parsis – but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.” (Broadcast to the people of USA, February 1948)

– Role of government –

“The government can only have for its aim one objective – how to serve the people, how to devise ways and means for their welfare, for their betterment. What other object can the Government have…..?

– Foreign policy –

“Our foreign policy is one of friendliness and goodwill towards all the nations of the world. We do not cherish aggressive designs against any country or nation. We believe in the principle of honesty and fair play in national and international dealings and are prepared to make our utmost contribution to the promotion of peace and prosperity among the nations of the world. Pakistan will never be found lacking in extending its material and moral support to the oppressed and suppressed peoples of the world and in upholding the principles of the United Nation’s Charter.

– Rights of minorities –

“Minorities can rest assured that their rights will be protected. No civilized Government can be run successfully without giving minorities a complete sense of security and confidence. They must be made to feel that they have a hand in Government and to do this they must have adequate representation in it. Pakistan will give this.

– Women’s rights –

“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 houses as prisoners. I do not mean that we should imitate the evils of the Western life. But let us try to raise the status of our women according to our own Islamic ideas and standards. There is no sanction any where for the deplorable conditions in which our women have to live. You should take your women along with you as comrades in every sphere of life, avoiding the corrupt practices of Western society.

– Advice to students –

My young friends, students who are present here, let me tell you as one who has always had love and affection for you, who has served you for ten years faithfully and loyally, let me give you this word of warning; you will be making the greatest mistake if you allow yourself to be exploited by one political party or another….Your main occupation should be – in fairness to yourself, in fairness to your presents, in fairness to the State – to devote your attention to your studies.

– Democracy, equality and liberty –

“Democracy is in the blood of Musalmans, who look upon complete equality of manhood [mankind]…[and] believe in fraternity, equality and liberty.”

– Economic independence and prosperity –

“When we first raised our demand for a sovereign and independent State of Pakistan there were not a few false prophets who tried to deflect us from our set purpose by saying that Pakistan was not economically feasible. They painted an extremely dark picture of the future of our State and its financial and economic soundness. The very first bedget presented by you must have caused a shock to those false prophets. It has already demonstrated the soundness of Pakistan’s finance and the determination of its Government to make them more and more sound and strong…..I have no doubt in my mind about the bright future that awaits Pakistan when its vast resources of men and material are fully mobilized. The road that we may have to travel may be somewhat uphill at present but with courage and determination we mean to achieve our objective which is to build up and construct a strong and prosperous Pakistan.”

– Educational policy –

“If we are to make any real, speedy and substantial progress, we must…bring our educational policy and programme on the lines suited to the genius of our people, consonant with our history and culture, and having regard to the modern conditions and vast development that have taken place all over the world….What we have to do is to mobilize our people and build up the character of our future generation……In short, we have to build up the character of our future generations which means highest sense of honour, integrity, selfless service to the nation, and sense of responsibility, and we have to see that they are fully qualified or equipped to play their part in the various branches of economic life in a manner which will do honour to Pakistan.”

– Freedom of expression –

“I say, protect the innocent, protect those journalists who are doing their duty and who are serving both the public and the Government by criticizing the government freely, independently, honestly which is an education for any government.

– Dangers of provincialism –

“We are now all Pakistanis – not Balochis, Pathans, Sindhis, Bengalis, Punjabis and so on – and as Pakistanis we must behave and act. We should be proud to be known as Pakistanis and nothing else.”

– Message to Pakistanis –

“Work honestly and sincerely and be faithful and loyal to the Pakistan Government. I can assure you there is nothing greater in this world than your own conscience and, when you appear before God, you can say that you performed your duty with the highest sense of integrity, honesty and with loyalty and faithfulness.”

– United front by Muslim states –

“My….message to our brother Muslim States is one of friendship and goodwill. We are all passing through perilous time. The drama of power politics that is being staged in Palestine, Indonesia and Kashmir should serve as an eye opener to us. It is only by putting up a united front that we can make our voice felt in the counsels of the world.”

– Message to nation of Pakistan –

“I have no doubt that with unity, faith and discipline we will not only remain the fifth largest State in the world but will compare with any nation of the world….You must make up your mind now. We must sink individualism and petty jealousies and make up our minds to serve the people with honesty and faithfulness. We are passing through a period of fear, danger and menace. We must have faith, unity and discipline.

Finally, let me tell you, fellow citizens, Pakistan is a land of great potential resources. But to build it up into a country worthy of the Muslim nation, we shall require every ounce of energy that we possess and I am confident that it will come from all whole-heartedly.”