National Minority Day today
The day marks Jinnah's historic speech to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, in which he pledged equal rights and freedom of religion for all citizens.
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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Minorities' role in shaping Pakistan lauded in Senate
The Senate on Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution lauding minorities for their vital role in the country's development, unity, and cultural, social, and economic enrichment. The resolution, moved by Senator Danesh Kumar, noted that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his historic address on 11 August 1947, unequivocally declared that all citizens of Pakistan, irrespective of religion, caste, or creed, shall enjoy equal rights, freedoms, and protections under the law. It highlighted that this principle remains a cornerstone of the country's policy towards minorities, adding that the Constitution enshrines the fundamental rights of minorities, ensuring their freedom of religion, equality before the law, and protection against discrimination. The resolution highlighted that Pakistan is a signatory to international covenants, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which affirm the rights of minorities. It further underscored that fostering interfaith harmony, social cohesion, and inclusivity is essential for national unity and prosperity. On the occasion of the National Day for Minorities, the resolution acknowledged the invaluable contributions of minorities to the development, progress, and unity of the nation. It paid profound tribute to the minorities of Pakistan for their unwavering patriotism, sacrifices, and exemplary contributions to the country's growth. The resolution reaffirmed the Senate's unwavering commitment to safeguarding the constitutional, legal, and human rights of all minorities, ensuring their dignity, security, and equal status as citizens of the state. It appreciated and commended the Chairman Senate for the visionary initiative of establishing the Minorities Caucus in the Senate of Pakistan. This joint parliamentary forum, with representation from both the National Assembly and the Senate, aims to collectively address concerns and promote the rights of minorities.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Was Pakistan necessary?
Listen to article Was Pakistan necessary? The question, as always, arises as we are close to celebrating the 78th anniversary of "independent" Pakistan. The creation of Pakistan in 1947 remains one of South Asia's most contested events. To its proponents, it was an essential homeland for Hindustani Muslims to safeguard their religious and political rights. To critics, it was a tragic consequence of failed negotiations, colonial strategy, and the politics of religious nationalism. To address this question, we must understand the ideological foundations, political context, human cost and post-partition realities. At the heart of Pakistan's creation was the Two-Nation Theory, articulated by Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the All-India Muslim League. It claimed Muslims and Hindus were not just religious groups but distinct nations with irreconcilable differences. In his Lahore Resolution speech (March 22, 1940), Jinnah declared: "We are a nation with our own distinctive culture and civilisation." Writers like Stanley Wolpert (Jinnah of Pakistan, 1984) portray Jinnah as a pragmatic leader who saw partition as the only solution after failed talks with the Congress. Ayesha Jalal, in The Sole Spokesman (1985), suggests Jinnah may have used the demand for Pakistan as a bargaining tool for maximum Muslim autonomy within a united India, only accepting partition when compromise failed. Opponents of the theory, such as Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, argued religion alone could not define nationhood. In India Wins Freedom (1959), Azad called the partition a historical blunder, insisting that Hindustani Muslims were too culturally rooted in Hindustan to be separated by ideology. The political collapse of the 1930s-40s shaped the final outcome. The Muslim League's poor showing in the 1937 provincial elections and the Congress's reluctance to form coalition governments deepened Muslim fears of exclusion. Ian Talbot (Pakistan: A Modern History, 2009) identifies this as a turning point for Jinnah's mobilisation of Muslim sentiment. The failure of the 1946 Cabinet Mission Plan, which proposed a loose federation to avoid partition, was decisive. Sugata Bose and Ayesha Jalal (Modern South Asia, 2004) argue that partition was not inevitable; it became "necessary" only after mistrust and political rigidity destroyed the possibility of compromise. The consequences were catastrophic. Between 1-2 million people died in communal massacres, and over 15 million were displaced. Contemporary reports in The New York Times and The Times of London recorded mass killings, abductions and sexual violence. Yasmin Khan, in The Great Partition (2007), highlights British unpreparedness for the transfer of power, noting that the partition "created not just new borders but new wounds" that remain unhealed. Post-independence, Pakistan faced deep identity dilemmas. Should it be a secular Muslim-majority state or an Islamic theocracy? The 1971 secession of East Pakistan into Bangladesh exposed the fragility of religious unity in the face of linguistic and ethnic differences. As Akeel Bilgrami (Secularism, Identity and Enchantment, 2014) observes, the premise of a single Muslim identity was flawed when confronted with South Asia's diversity. In India, Muslims who stayed behind became a vulnerable minority. The rise of Hindutva politics under BJP has reinforced some of Jinnah's warnings, but others contend that the partition itself hardened communal divisions, making reconciliation harder. So, was Pakistan necessary? It depends on the perspective. Through ideology, it provided a political refuge for Muslims in an increasingly majoritarian India. Through hindsight, it appears as a tragic product of political failure, religious nationalism and colonial opportunism. Hamza Alavi, in Pakistan and Islam: Ethnicity and Ideology (1987), urges us to see Pakistan's creation as not just nationalism, but a complex interplay of class interests, imperial strategy and identity politics. In the end, Pakistan was neither inevitable nor universally desired. It was born of missed opportunities, rigid leadership positions and imperial designs. Yet, its creation permanently altered the subcontinent, offering a lasting lesson in the perils of division and the staggering cost of political failure.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
Sindh PA passes resolution to mark Minorities Day
KARACHI: The Sindh Assembly on Monday unanimously passed a resolution to mark National Minority Day, reaffirming that the Constitution of Pakistan guarantees full protection to the minorities across the country, including Sindh. Members from both the treasury and opposition benches emphasised that observing the day just three days before Independence Day sends a clear message that every citizen enjoys freedom of religion and protection of life and property. The session, chaired by Speaker Awais Qadir Shah in the old Assembly building, began after Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Zia Ul Hassan Lanjar moved a motion to suspend the regular agenda, which was approved. Deputy Speaker Anthony Naveed tabled the resolution, urging the House to acknowledge the constitutional rights of minorities. Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, speaking in favour of the resolution, recalled that the same historic hall was where the Assembly had passed a resolution in favour of Pakistan in 1943 and where Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had addressed members in 1947. Quoting the Quaid, he said everyone is free to practice their religion and that Sindh was the first province to dissolve its autonomous status to join Pakistan. He stressed that representatives from the province have always contributed to the country's unity and survival, citing the roles of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He also hoisted the national flag inside the hall. Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi endorsed the resolution, calling it significant and urging that its spirit be upheld. He reminded members of Jinnah's warning against sectarianism and lamented that ethnic biases still surface in society. Referring to frequent dumper truck accidents in Karachi, he said the issue was not ethnic but administrative, and that recommendations agreed by all parties had not been implemented. During the debate, Home Minister, Lanjar suggested that the matter of accidents be taken up separately after the resolution. He also announced the establishment of special desks for minority affairs at both the provincial police chief's office and district SSP offices. Local Government Minister, Saeed Ghani expressed pride in the Christian and Hindu communities living in his constituency, condemning religious persecution in India. Deputy Speaker Naveed, who moved the resolution, noted that President Asif Ali Zardari had officially declared Minority Day in 2009, and that the white stripe in Pakistan's national flag symbolises minority representation. He proposed removing the word 'minority' from the Constitution to promote equality. Former speaker, Agha Siraj Durrani described the day as one for unity, noting that the term 'minority' was a constitutional one that could only be amended by the National Assembly. He said the Pakistan Peoples Party had ensured more than five percent job quotas for non-Muslims. MQM's Taha Ahmed Khan voiced unconditional support for the resolution, recalling Jinnah's vision that Pakistan's freedom would only be complete when all its inhabitants were free. PTI's Shabbir Qureshi highlighted that Pakistan is unique for representing minorities in its flag. MQM's Anil Kumar said Hindus in Pakistan live freely with full facilities, unlike minorities in India, and joined calls to remove the word 'minority' from the Constitution. MQM's Fauzia Hameed stressed the need for interfaith harmony and equal rights for all citizens. The resolution was unanimously adopted, and the session adjourned. Sindh's Senior Minister for Information and Transport, Sharjeel Inam Memon told the Assembly that the green and white national flag reflects both the freedom of the country and the guaranteed rights of minorities. He cited examples of minority members elected by the PPP to general seats, such as Mahesh Kumar Malani, Giyanchand Essarani and Hari Ram, as well as Krishna Kohli's representation in the Senate in traditional dress, which earned international praise. Sharjeel Memon said PPP leadership had ensured minority inclusion in the Benazir Income Support Programme and the ongoing housing scheme, with thousands of non-Muslim families receiving homes and ownership rights. He contrasted Pakistan's protection of places of worship with the lack of safety for minorities in India. Turning to the recent fatal dumper truck accident in Karachi, the minister said two children were killed and their father critically injured when a truck hit their motorcycle. He said police arrested the driver and impounded the vehicle, yet violent elements set fire to seven dumpers in a coordinated bid to create unrest. Calling it an old tactic to promote ethnic and criminal politics, he vowed that the government would not allow the city's hard-earned peace to be disturbed. He said agreements had been signed with dumper owners requiring all trucks entering the city after the 25th of this month to be fitted with modern trackers and cameras, with full driver records checked. The chief minister had also ordered immediate compensation for the victims' families. He warned that anyone attempting to spread chaos again would face 'forceful' action to preserve the city's security. Home Minister, Lanjar, addressing reporters and later the House, said FIRs had been registered and the affected families compensated. He urged against exaggerating such incidents, noting that not only dumper drivers but all road users share responsibility for accidents, given outdated vehicles and unsafe practices. Plans are underway to introduce e-ticketing, ensure all heavy vehicles have cameras, enforce proper licensing and ban unfit trucks. He reaffirmed Sindh's commitment to protecting minorities and urged citizens to celebrate Independence Day peacefully, avoiding aerial firing in compliance with Section 144. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
