“We want freedom and liberty.” These five words in his statement to the Manchester Guardian meant that the founder of Pakistan had wanted freedom and independence not only of the sub-continent but also other countries of Asia and Africa from the colonial powers.
He backed Indonesia in its fight for freedom. That’s why Indonesians and Pakistanis will never forget August 17 and 14 rooted in world history as their national days respectively. On August 17 in 1945, following the surrender by the Japanese, Ahmed Soekarno and Dr. Hatta proclaimed independence on behalf of the people of Indonesia. And, two years later, on August 14, 1947, the majority of the Muslims inhabiting the sub-continent for centuries achieved independence under the dynamic leadership of Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
The leading freedom fighters of both the countries cherished the same ideals -- liberty, equality and fraternity. If Soekarno spread from the very beginning the doctrine of national unity covering racial, religious and cultural brotherhood, Jinnah advocated unity—first between the Muslims and Hindus and then, realising the need of the hour, among Muslims.
One of the glaring examples of unity of thought, speech and action and the common heritage in terms of culture and faith was the similarity of the mottos of Pakistani and Indonesian leaders.
Soekarno declared they are one people, their motto is Unity in Diversity.” Jinnah, who gave the call for unity on March 23, 1940, and one of his close associates, Liaquat Ali Khan, following the Indonesian Proclamation of Independence in 1945, extended staunch support to Indonesian cause of freedom and then its fight for independence, sovereignty and recognition by the world.
One of the notable aspects of the Quaid’s advocacy for freedom was his clarion call in 1945 to back the Indonesian effort for Independence. The call was responded whole-heartedly by 600 Muslim soldiers who deserted the colonial forces.
Inspired by the leaders of Pakistan and Indonesia and the spirit of brotherhood, these soldiers responded to Jinnah’s call in 1945 to support the Indonesian cause of independence. They considered themselves Pakistanis.
In early 1947, when Pakistan was in the process of its final inception and when the colonial military tribunal instituted at Singapore to hear the case of the deserting Muslim soldiers in Indonesia, pronounced its judgment, declaring those soldiers as “traitors” and awarding them death sentence, Jinnah raised his roaring voice to condemn the colonial atrocities and inhuman decisions.
The Quaid’s support emboldened the Indonesian freedom fighters and the sub-continent’s Muslim soldiers, with the exception of hardly 10, who were henceforth to be called the Pakistani soldiers and not the British Indian soldiers after the establishment of Pakistan on August 14, 1947.
The Pakistani soldiers fought on all fronts so gallantly and with such valour that Indonesia’s enemy was astounded and defeated at with heavy casualties. A large number of these Pakistanis lost their legs in bombardment by the enemy.
Pak soldiers helped the Indonesian forces face the enemy bravely. Most of them were martyred in defending the Republic of Indonesia. Many who survived belonged to Jhelum, Gujar Khan and Rawalpindi.
One Mohammad Sadiq was awarded a certificate by President Soekarno during his visit to Karachi. One can say relationship between the emerging Pakistan and Indonesia in fact was established by the founders of the two republics during their struggle for freedom. The role of the Pakistani soldiers in exemplary fight against the colonial forces in Indonesia paved the way for socio-economic ties also.
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