Happy Pakistan Day!

Islamabad

Today Pakistan is celebrating the day when, for the first time, Father of the Nation, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his address at the annual session of the Muslim League at Minto Park in Lahore, formally and passionately demanded a separate country based on the concept of Muslim nationhood.

The history of the sub-continent was changed with the passage of the Pakistan Resolution.

For the first time it appears that all this activity nearly matches that which is witnessed when we celebrate our Independence Day -- there seems to be extra enthusiasm to celebrate this year. Preparations for celebrating the historic occasion have been going on for the last few days, with banners and bunting flying from every light pole; newly painted walls that are situated in areas where they can be seen clearly adorned with the image of the Pakistani flag and a general air of hustle and bustle can be witnessed.

Last but not least there is the Pakistan Day Parade being held with prayers that rain will not disrupt the proceedings. There is something about a parade which cannot be explained in so many words. It arouses different feelings in different people - for some it is a show of strength; for others it is part of the celebration and for most it is part of feeling pride in our armed forces. An upsurge of the feeling of patriotism occurs as the smartly turned out contingents march past and can even be felt even if one is not physically present but watching them on television!

The only aspect of all this which was a little out of place was that the motto, “United We Rise’ has been written only in English on the banners and wherever else it has been inscribed. It would have been better if it had also been written in the many other languages spoken in Pakistan, especially our national one, Urdu. It would have been more inclusive, embracing the fact that despite being of many castes and creeds, we are one and will rise due to our unity! 

Happy Pakistan Day!