WHEN the Indian subcontinent was writhing under colonial dominance and communal discord, one man stood firm with unwavering resolve, etching his name into the annals of history; Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the Quaid-i-Azam. His life and vision gave birth to Pakistan, a land envisioned to be a bastion of equality, justice and opportunity for all. But today (Dec 25), as we observe Jinnah’s birthday, the question looms large: have we truly lived up to his dream, or has Pakistan veered off course into the very chaos he sought to escape?

Sectarianism, religious intolerance and extremism have fragmented the unity Jinnah once championed. Leaders prior-itise power over progress, and political confrontations eclipse the urgent need for nation-building. Contemporary Pakistan remains divided along ethnic, linguistic and ideological lines, where national unity is compromised by personal interests and misplaced priorities.

Jinnah aspired for a Pakistan where every citizen could enjoy access to educ-ation, healthcare and economic oppor-tunity. However, rising poverty, widening inequality and mounting debt reflect a failure to establish the economic inde-pendence Jinnah envisioned. Instead of becoming a self-reliant state, Pakistan has been trapped in cycles of foreign loans, eroding sovereignty and national pride.

The role of education in shaping Pakistan’s future was central to Jinnah’s vision. He understood that knowledge was the bedrock of a progressive society. Pakistan’s education system — fragmented, underfunded and often politicised — falls tragically short. A nation that Jinnah hoped would lead the Muslim world in enlightenment and reform now grapples with crises made worse by the absence of critical thinking.

Jinnah emphasised peaceful coexist-ence, non-alignment and mutual respect in international relations. His vision was clear: Pakistan was to be a bridge, not a battleground, between competing global powers. However, Pakistan finds itself entangled in geopolitical conflicts often at the cost of strategic autonomy.

Despite these deviations, Jinnah’s dream remains alive, albeit battered and bruised. His legacy continues to inspire countless Pakistanis striving for a better tomorrow.

The peaceful struggles of youth advo-cating for education, the perseverance of women breaking societal barriers, and the sacrifices of soldiers defending the nation’s borders embody the unfinished struggle to realise Jinnah’s dream. Civil society’s increasing role in advocating for democratic norms and human rights offers a glimmer of hope. All these are reminders that the Quaid’s ideals still resonate in the hearts of the people.

Yet, to truly live up to Jinnah’s dream, Pakistan must undertake a collective introspection. The restoration of his ideals — justice, equality and democracy — requires political will, institutional reforms and a return to the principles he laid out so clearly.

It demands that we confront uncom-fortable truths, dismantle structures of inequality, and prioritise the welfare of the people over political expediency. The road ahead is steep, but hope lies in recalling the Quaid-i-Azam’s golden words: “With faith, discipline, and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.”

Majid Burfat
Karachi

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2024