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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Independence - dreams deferred?
The writer is a former Secretary to Government, Home and Tribal Affairs Department and a retired IGP. He can be reached at syed_shah94@ Independence Day on 14th August passed amidst jubilation, military parades, patriotic songs and dazzling illuminations. Seventy-eight years on, we continue to mark this day with great fervour. The very word independence evokes a sense of fresh breathing, of casting off the shackles that once bound us. All nations take pride in their independence, for it is supposed to signify dignity, self-determination and collective ownership of destiny. But have we ever paused to ask ourselves: Why did we seek independence? What does it truly mean in the life of a nation? Before 14 August 1947, we had our mosques, offered our prayers and revered our shrines, many of which were - and still are - in India. Millions of Muslims continue to live there today. Our inheritance, marriages and other personal matters were governed under Muslim personal law. Then why was there such a powerful demand for a separate homeland? The leaders of the Pakistan Movement argued that in a Hindu-majority India, Muslims would be politically marginalised and economically disadvantaged. Their voices would be drowned, their talents stifled. They feared that without political autonomy, Muslims would remain underdogs - destined for poverty, exploitation and denial of fundamental rights. The dream was of emancipation from the yoke of subjugation - of a state where the rights of all citizens would be safeguarded, where justice would prevail, and where every individual could flourish regardless of creed, caste or class. Yet, as we look around today, the picture is starkly different from what was envisioned. Extreme poverty engulfs nearly half of our population. The Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and independent economic surveys repeatedly warn of widening inequality. Millions of children remain out of school; malnutrition and stunted growth plague our future generations; the doctor-to-patient ratio remains critically low; and basic health facilities are beyond the reach of the common man. Fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution - freedom of speech, assembly, movement and association - are often curtailed in practice. Political freedoms have been repeatedly subjected to arbitrary restrictions, and dissent is often treated not as a democratic necessity but as a threat to state security. The constitutional journey, too, has been tumultuous. The 1973 Constitution, envisaged as a consensual social contract, has been subjected to repeated suspensions, abrogations and distortions. Rather than serving as the supreme law binding all institutions to democratic norms, it has too often been bent to serve the expediencies of those in power. The 26th Amendment and other constitutional manoeuvres have often reflected power struggles rather than principled reform. The spirit of constitutionalism - the guarantee that no one is above the law - remains fragile. What is even more troubling is the misuse of laws meant for national security. The Anti-Terrorism Act, enacted in the 1990s to combat genuine threats to public safety, has been weaponised against political leaders and parties. Peaceful protests, sit-ins and rallies - hallmarks of a functioning democracy - are painted with the same brush as acts of terrorism. Such practices not only undermine democracy but also corrode public trust in state institutions. Due process of law, a cornerstone of justice, is often ignored. Political opponents are detained without fair trial; investigations become tools of harassment; and the presumption of innocence - a basic principle of law - is eroded. In several recent instances, prolonged detention without conviction has become the norm, effectively punishing individuals before any court has declared them guilty. This is not merely a political problem - it is a deep constitutional wound. In his haunting poem Subh-e-Azadi, written in the aftermath of Partition, Faiz Ahmad Faiz captured the disillusionment of a people who had gained political freedom but not the promised social and economic justice: "This stained light, this night-bitten dawn This is not the dawn we longed for; This is not the dawn for which we set out Hoping to find, somewhere in the desert of the sky, The final destination of the stars' night." Faiz's lament was not a rejection of freedom itself, but a painful recognition that the journey towards true independence - independence from hunger, fear, exploitation and injustice - was far from over. Sadly, his words still resonate today. True independence is not merely the absence of foreign rule; it is the presence of justice, equality and opportunity. It is a system where the weak can challenge the strong and still win, where the law protects without prejudice, and where the state serves its citizens rather than ruling over them. It is a social contract binding rulers to act as trustees of the people's welfare. Seventy-eight years on, we must ask ourselves: Have we honoured that contract? Have we upheld the ideals for which sacrifices were made, lives were lost and dreams were kindled? Or have we replaced one form of subjugation with another - swapping foreign masters for domestic elites who treat the state as their personal estate? Our economic woes, human rights violations and governance failures are not inevitable. They are the product of choices - choices to prioritise short-term political gains over long-term institutional reform; to silence dissent instead of engaging it; to centralise power rather than distribute it. If we continue to drift away from constitutional governance, allow poverty to deepen and permit the erosion of rights, then the celebrations each August will ring hollow. The parades, the songs and the fireworks will be but a veneer over a deeper national unease. Independence will remain an unfulfilled promise - an anthem sung without meaning, a flag raised without purpose. The dream of Pakistan was never simply about a piece of land; it was about creating a society grounded in dignity, justice and equality. Until we realise that vision, Faiz's "night-bitten dawn" will continue to haunt our mornings.
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Marka-e-Haq 14th August Youm-e-Azaadi: Message from Asif Ali Zardari, The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Today, as we celebrate the 78th Independence Anniversary of our beloved homeland, I extend heartfelt congratulations to all Pakistanis at home and abroad. This day is a reminder of the courage, unity, and sacrifices that led to the creation of Pakistan. Today, the entire nation pays homage to our founding father, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and the workers of the Pakistan Movement for their struggle and sacrifices. We celebrate this Independence Day with a sense of renewed pride and hope. Recently, our nation has reaffirmed its strength, resolve, and unity in the face of external aggression. Our success in Marka-e-Haq and Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos is a landmark moment in our history. It was a demonstration of unshakable national will, professional excellence, and united purpose. Faced with unjustified Indian aggression, Pakistan responded with clarity, courage and restraint. The world witnessed a nation that is peace-loving, but fully capable of defending its sovereignty and territorial integrity. This victory has given our people a sense of renewed confidence. It has lifted the morale of the people, restored faith in our institutions, and enhanced Pakistan's stature on the global stage. Today, the world sees Pakistan as a country that seeks peace but does not bow to coercion. But this moment is about more than military success. It is a reminder of what we can achieve when we are united, focused, and committed to a common goal. Let us now channel this spirit into our economic revival, educational reform,technologicaladvancement, institutional development, and environmental resilience. The same discipline, courage, and clarity that led to our recent success against India can lead us towards victory in eradicating poverty, creating opportunities for our people, and building a just and inclusive society. On this Day, we also express solidarity with the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Their courage and struggle for justice and their right to self-determination remain close to our hearts. Pakistan will continue to extend its unwavering diplomatic, moral, and political support until their right to self-determination is realized. Let this Independence Day be a turning point in our history. Let us rise beyond our divisions and stand together for a Pakistan that is built on justice, equality, faith, and service to all. May Allah be our guide and Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Marka-e-Haq 14th August Youm-e-Azaadi: Message from Field Marshal Asim Munir Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) Chief of Army Staff
On the auspicious occasion of Pakistan's 78th Independence Day, I extend my heartiest felicitations to the entire nation. This day is a solemn reminder of the long struggle carried out by our ancestors who secured our freedom under the visionary leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. As we pay homage to our great leaders and forefathers, we also salute our martyrs and veterans whose supreme sacrifices have been instrumental in securing our freedom. It is incumbent upon all of us to value the blessing of freedom. It is also necessary to realize that the struggle for Pakistan was not earned out only by the Muslims of the Subcontinent but the religious minorities also took an active part in Pakistan Movement, and are playing their role in national progress. Today, Pakistan is not only an impregnable citadel of Islam but is also an embodiment of interfaith harmony and religious freedom. On the other hand, it is evident to all how Muslims in India are being treated as second and third grade citizens. At the heart of our national ethos lies Pakistaniyat—a unifying vision rooted in brotherhood, solidarity, and shared destiny. In today's complex global environment, the survival and unity of nations depend upon concord, vigilance, and comprehensive preparedness across all domains. Pride in our regional identity and adherence to our cultural traditions is an integral part of Pakistaniyat. However, amid the global community, only Pakistaniyat enables us to transcend divisions and chart a course towards our rightful place as a dignified nation on the international stage. In accordance with the universal principles of Islam, Pakistan seeks peace and security for all humanity. We have played an unforgettable role for promoting peace at home, in the region and across the globe. We have paid a heavy toll in men and material in order to defeat the scourge of terrorism and will continue to strive and extend all cooperation for its eradication. Pakistan not only strongly condemned the deplorable tragedy at Pahlgam but also offered transparent international investigations. Regrettably, intoxicated in her vain pride of strength, the Indian regime displayed its conventional imprudence and attacked Pakistan, targeting civil populations and mosques. The enemy attacks took the lives of numerous innocent citizens including children, women and elderly. In response to this naked aggression by the enemy, the Armed Forces of Pakistan launched Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos which has gone down in history as a symbol of the valour and spirit of our Armed Forces. We thus established that wars are notwon by media rhetoric and political jugglery but by professional ability, constant readiness and national resolve. Throughout Marka-e-Haq, the nation demonstrated unwavering solidarity with the Armed Forces, our martyrs, and their families—an enduring testament to the unshakeable bond between the people of Pakistan and their defenders. This trust is our greatest strength and most precious asset that grants us the ability to safeguard our freedom, independence, and territorial integrity. In an era of rapidly shifting geo-strategic realities, Pakistan faces multifaceted challenges, calling for ever readiness, pragmatic understanding and professional skills. By the Grace of Allah, Pakistan Army is frilly cognizant of the conventional, unconventional and hybrid current and future challenges and possesses the requisite capabilities to meet any challenge decisively. Pakistan will continue to play a pivotal role to promote regional stability and reinforcing a security framework based on mutual cooperation. While Pakistan remains committed to peace, progress, and prosperity in the region, it will never compromise on its sovereignty or freedom. Any adventurism aimed at undermining Pakistan's territorial integrity will be met with an immediate, decisive, and resolute response. Our resolve to bring the war against terrorism to its logical conclusion remains unyielding. Let it be made unequivocally clear no one will be permitted to disrupt peace or sow chaos within Pakistan. We are fully aware of conspiracies and hostile designs that seek to aid Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan. All such elements will be confronted and crushed with the full force of the state—Insha'Allah. Pakistan reaffirms its unwavering support for our oppressed brothers and sisters in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) and their legitimate struggle for self-determination. Marka-e-Haq has brought renewed global attention to the Kashmir Issue. The only just, fair, and lasting solution lies in granting the Kashmiri people their inalienable right to decide their own future. We also express our solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine, urging the international community to take concrete measures to ensure that their fundamental rights are protected. I conclude by paying glowing tribute to the heroes of our independence struggle and saluting our martyrs whose courage, steadfastness, and faith will forever illuminate our path. I hold full confidence in the professional competence and combat readiness of the Pakistan Army. We remain resolute in our duty to defend our homeland with integrity, selflessness, and unyielding resolve. This is a time to strengthen national unity, honour the legacy of our martyrs by carrying forward their mission, and strive for a sovereign, peaceful, and prosperous Pakistan. Let us reaffirm our pledge to make every sacrifice necessary to safeguard the frontiers of our beloved country, dedicating our collective energies to its enduring stability and progress. May Allah Almighty be our Protector and Pakistan Army Zindabad! Pakistan Paindabad! Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Marka-e-Haq 14th August Youm-e-Azaadi: Message from M. Ishaq Dar, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
On this Independence Day, we pay tribute to Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for his leadership and vision, as well as the workers of the Pakistan Movement for their countless sacrifices to secure an independent homeland for the Muslims of South Asia. Pakistan was founded on the ideals of unity, faith, and discipline, and today we stand proud as a resilient nation of over 250 million people. Over the past 78 years, Pakistan has made significant strides in building a dynamic economy, advancing in science and technology, and contributing meaningfully to global peace and development. From our robust agricultural base to our growing IT exports, from successfully hosting important international events to launching ambitious infrastructure projects, Pakistan is steadily advancing towards a brighter future. Recent months have witnessed the indomitable spirit of Pakistan manifested on both military and diplomatic fronts. Through Operation Marka-e-Haq, our principled, lawful, and resolute response to India's illegal actions achieved a significant moral and political victory. By combining military preparedness with diplomatic acumen and national unity, we have demonstrated to the international community Pakistan'sunwaveringcommitment to defend its sovereignty while upholding global peace. We have reaffirmed that the Kashmir cause remains just, rights of Kashmiri people inalienable, and Pakistan's support unshakable until justice prevails. As we celebrate this Independence Day in Pakistan and across the globe, let us rededicate ourselves to building a stronger, more secure, and prosperous nation. Our greatest strength endures in the unity that forged our nation and in our collective resolve to uphold the principles of democracy, peace, and justice that inspired our beloved homeland's creation. Pakistan Zindabad! Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Scroll.in
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
The doctor from Sindh, once honoured by Pakistan, now forgotten
On August 14, 1947, the day Pakistan came into being, Karachi was swept up in jubilant celebration. A 4.8-km state procession wound its way through the city led by Viceroy Louis Mountbatten and Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Quaid-e-Azam – Great Leader – of the new nation. Military units lined the route of the procession, while overhead, fighter planes dipped in salute. Crowds gathered at every corner, cheering, waving, witnessing the birth of a country. To mark the occasion, the Citizens' Celebrations Committee had erected 16 ceremonial gates along the route. Each one bore the name of a distinguished citizen: political leaders, religious figures, intellectuals and national heroes. Among them were three future prime ministers of Pakistan, pioneering voices of the Pakistan Movement, spiritual heads of major communities, and iconic city-builders. One of the 16 was a Hindu: Dr Hemandas Wadhwani. Eminent but forgotten I came across his name quite by chance while working on the family history of a Wadhwani family and was intrigued. A few older relatives with memories of Sindh had mentioned Hemandas Wadhwarni, a doctor with a practice in Jacobabad. Some thought back with faraway expressions and vaguely recalled that he had once been a minister in Sindh. Curious, I began piecing together his story through online searches and scattered mentions. I found more than I expected. Most striking of all was a Dawn report dated August 15, 1947, quoted by Khurram Ali Shafique on The Republic of Rumi website, which mentioned the 16 ceremonial gates. Who was this prominent Wadhwani, honoured on the day Pakistan was born – and now almost entirely forgotten? From news reports, gazetteer entries, and administrative records of the time, a shadowy picture emerged: that of a widely respected physician and high-ranking public servant. These findings were later enhanced by family memories. What Kanu remembered Kanu Wadhwani (1934-2022) was 84 when I first met him. He had lived in Jacobabad as a child where his father Hiranand (Hemandas's paternal uncle) was headmaster of the municipal high school. He had very fond memories of his well-settled older cousin and the three-storey family home with its arches, red pillars, wide verandas and spacious rooms overlooking the Begaree Wah. Hemandas's clinic was in the house and several of the rooms doubled as a nursing home. When Kanu's elder brother Moti contracted typhoid, the family moved from their government quarters to live in the family home, where a safe and comfortable convalescence was assured. Kanu's memories of his loving, always cheerful uncle are balanced by Hemandas's formidable reputation as a skilled and dedicated doctor across the Upper Sindh Frontier region and Balochistan, where he was responsible for many social activities. Doctor saab When devastating floods struck Jacobabad in 1929, Hemandas led the relief efforts. He was again at the forefront during the Quetta earthquake of 1935, in which more than 40,000 lives were lost from a population of 60,000. He served as honorary secretary of the Indian Red Cross Society in Sindh, implementing global practices he had encountered while volunteering with the Red Cross Society Leagues in London and Paris. His MBBS degree was from Grant Medical College in Bombay. He had enhanced his skills in Vienna with specialised courses in diseases of the ear, nose and throat. A long-serving member of the Jacobabad Municipality and Chairman of both the Sanitary and Primary School Boards, he also established a Child Welfare Centre in the town. One of its most beloved initiatives was the annual baby show – a joyful community event with a public health purpose. Hemandas's greatest motivation was to promote hygiene and nutrition across the region. Grateful families credited him with significantly reducing maternal mortality in Jacobabad and with training midwives who later served across Sindh. Perhaps it was his dedication that earned him the title Kaiser-e-Hind from the British colonial government. One of his most enduring efforts was the establishment of Dow Medical College in Karachi. When Sir Hugh Dow, governor of Sindh, laid the foundation stone of the college, he reportedly said of Hemandas: 'His efforts were untiring; he would accept no discouragement, and it is certain that this scheme would not have been brought to the stage which we see today had it not been for his enthusiastic and dedicated work. I have done my best to second his efforts, but in my opinion the college might have been more appropriately named after him than after me.' As Hemandas rose to prominence across the province, he remained a kind and good-natured man, loved by his family and widely respected by the people of Upper Sindh Frontier and Balochistan. The rise to eminence When Sindh was separated from the Bombay Presidency in 1936 and established its own government, Hemandas was put up as the candidate of the Indian National Congress from Jacobabad and won a resounding victory. He was appointed minister of health for Sindh and his time was divided between Jacobabad and Karachi. In Karachi, he set up a nursing home next to his residence and the road was named in his honour: Hemandas Wadhwani Road. Although the British government had postponed independence until the Second World War had ended, negotiations were already underway. Among the senior officials involved in these high-level discussions was Hemandas Wadhwani. Were these the reasons he was honoured as one of 16 eminent citizens of Pakistan with a ceremonial gate bearing his name on the day the country was born? He stayed on as long as he could Gradually, things began to change. Sindh had not been partitioned. Hindus had lived there as a peaceful and prosperous minority for centuries and at first, there was no reason for them to leave. But Partition had created a tide of desperate new arrivals – refugees who had been promised a homeland and who looked to Sindh to begin again. Kanu Wadhwani's family left in September 1947, after a traumatic incident in which their home was raided. He remembered his father walking calmly to the front door and opening it, as the police inspector in charge of the search entered. His terror turned to astonishment when the inspector bowed before Kaka and assured him that the house would not be searched. Hiranand had once been his headmaster at the Municipal High School in Jacobabad – how could he violate the home of a man he still respected? But the officer pleaded with Hiranand to leave Pakistan, warning that it was becoming increasingly dangerous for Hindus. It was Hemandas who arranged passage for the family on one of the ships evacuating non-Muslims from Karachi to Bombay. Kanu remembered his father weeping at the port and others around him trying to console him, saying there was nothing anyone could do. Hemandas and his family remained in Sindh until 1950. Who can imagine the shifts that finally forced them to leave: the disillusionment, the helplessness, the loss of all the goodwill and prestige he had built over decades of hard work? Their first home away from Sindh was in Udaipur, where Hemandas was welcomed as personal doctor to the Maharaja, whose treatment he continued for nearly a year. It's unclear how this association had formed, but the family already had links to Udaipur – it had been the first port of call for several relatives after Partition. This included Kanu's family, who were allotted two rooms in a large house known as Iron Bungalow, shared with seven other displaced Sindhi families. It was their first home as refugees. From Udaipur, Hemandas moved to Indore, where he tried, unsuccessfully, to set up a business selling steel vessels for his son Moti. Eventually, he, Totibai, and their differently-abled son Gopal moved to Bombay. Moti, his wife Kamala, and their sons Vijay and Ashok – both born in Sindh – and baby Ravi, born in Jhansi, settled in Pimpri. In time, the family came together again in Colaba, Bombay. Our family physician Building up a professional practice takes years. Hemandas was one of the hundreds of thousands of illustrious Sindhi professionals who had lost everything and did not have the resources to start all over. In time, patients came, largely from families who had known him in Sindh. Many travelled from the refugee camps in Kalyan, a journey of nearly three hours, having complete faith in his treatment. Colaba had a large Sindhi population too. Hemandas established the Colaba Sindhi Panchayat and Bombay Sindhi Panchayat where medical treatment was provided for free. Among the many Sindhi families who made Colaba their home was that of my grandfather, Presidency Magistrate KJ Bijlani. That home in Colaba remained a centre for gatherings and happy times for our family, all the way till 2003. When I asked two of my uncles if they remembered Hemandas, it turned out that his home had been right nearby. To my amazement, they recalled him vividly – because he had been the family physician. However, they had not the faintest idea that he had once been an important public figure in Sindh. What they did remember, the kind of detail children are so likely to retain, was the lisp with which he spoke. My uncle Hiru, who was born in February 1948 at the peak of post-Partition trauma (the family had migrated just months earlier in November 1947), had been sickly as a child. He remembered Dr Hemandas as kind and reassuring. On phone consultations he would say, 'Haa, haa, samjhi vyus' – yes, yes, I understand. Someone would then be sent over to collect the medicine he dispensed. The Ramayana mix-up For some years I believed that in the completely altered life after Partition, Hemandas revived a tradition initiated by his grandmother Chetibai when he was a little boy in Sindh, encouraging him, 'Ramayana ji katha budhaye', tell us a story from the Ramayana. People would gather round to sit and listen when he did. This became a daily routine and it gave the comfort of home to many who had carried on with stoic bravery after their lives had been upturned. However, in November 2024 I finally got the opportunity to meet Ashok Wadhwani, Hemandas's grandson, who had grown up in the Colaba home, and he was adamant that no such routine ever took place in their home. Kanu Wadhwani had passed on. There was no one else I could check with. Confused, somewhat sheepish that I seemed to have made a mistake, I went back to Kanu's recordings. Eventually it became clear that I had misheard. It was Rupchand, Hemandas's father, whose Ramayana katha was so popular. Seventy-four when Partition took place, Hiranand's brother Rupchand resolutely stayed on in Sindh. His wife Jasoda and their brother Thakurdas were both no more. While most of the family left Sindh, Rupchand chose to stay. He moved to his darbar – a traditional Sindhi place of worship usually maintained by generations of a family – in Kambar. There, he swept the floors himself and referred to himself humbly as 'Darbar jo naukar Rupo', Rupo, a servant of the darbar. After the pogrom of January 6, 1948, when mobs began attacking gurmandars, tikanos, darbars, and other Hindu places of worship across interior Sindh, the Kambar Darbar's devotees fled as well. With help from its followers, the community reconvened in the Bombay suburb of Kandivali. Rupchand went to live with his son – once the health minister of Sindh – now leading an unassuming life in Colaba. The memory of the daily katha was not Hemandas's. But it remains part of the family's atmosphere of comfort, continuity, and quiet reconstruction in a world turned upside down. A lasting legacy While in Bombay it is the memory of Hemandas's gentle lisp that lives on, in Sindh his legacy endures – not only through infrastructure and institutions, but through a model of civic service, compassion, and professional excellence. His contributions to Dow Medical College, the Indian Red Cross Society's work in Sindh and the Jacobabad Child Welfare Centre, along with the public health practices he pioneered, continued to shape the region's medical and social fabric long after his departure – and long after his name was erased from plaques and street signs. Hemandas was one of many illustrious Hindus of Sindh whose work lived on even as their names vanished from public memory. I felt a little better about this when my uncle Moti told me about Hemandas's funeral procession: that it had been enormous, with hundreds of mourners. The local population probably wondered what all the fuss was about.
