Pakistan’s independence — a tale of sacrifices

Pakistan our homeland -- we could only get it after a huge number of sacrifices of lives, properties, lands, honour and what not. I want to tell the story of my father Muhammad Abul Farah and my mother’s family. This is also a story of many others.

My father was at Delhi at the time of the partition in 1947 and he had a government job. He belonged to Saroli (pet name Pahitia) Ghazipur district India. His great grandfather was Sir Syed Ahmed Khan’s companion and accomplice. He worked with him when he established Victoria High School, Ghazipur and The Scientist Society, Ghazipur.

He sent his children to Aligarh University for education. My father idolized Quaid-i-Azam and opted for Pakistan over India. He sent his family on 23rd September 1947 in a refugees train from Delhi to Lahore, his two sons his wife, his real uncle and his son, my maternal uncle, two second cousin sisters and her daughter and a family servant.

They started their journey from Delhi but when they reached Amritsar Railway Station, a mob of Sikhs and Hindus carrying ‘Karpan,’ rifles and guns attacked over thousands of unarmed Muslims. My second cousin got wounded and lost consciousness. The train reached Lahore full of dead bodies my male family members went to Lahore to receive their kids and family members but they found only my second cousin at Lahore Hospital. This tragic incident broke the hearts of many. They couldn’t even find the bodies to console themselves. We still wait for our beloved relatives. It is very difficult for families to accept this horrible reality. They didn’t get any information as to whether the dead bodies were found or buried. Even imagining this incident is horrifying. My family, my parents faced this tragedy with lots of patience. They had lost everything except for faith and belief in Allah the Almighty.

This story is for the new generation and all those who don’t even know about the sacrifices of families for creation of Pakistan. We should really value our independence. Recite ‘fateh’ for martyrs of Pakistan. They are our heroes and I salute all martyrs of Pakistan. Long live Pakistan! Ameen!

— Yasmeen Farah