People for unity, not power tussle

Common people say they always believed in unity and put up a grand show of national unity in the past when a neighbouring country aggressed against “our motherland.” “We are united even now to defend our homeland, but we want peace for development and human welfare.”

They say sometimes there seems to be a crisis of selfless and dedicated leadership like the one provided by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. “But there are men and women who have the ability, capability and experience to serve the country and its masses; there shouldn’t be any hurdle in their way.”

What the common people say is quite right. What is indispensable for a nation? “It’s the people’s unity strengthened by the concept of being one in thought and action,” argue the city elders.

Pakistan’s founder Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah borrowed the idea of unity from one God, one Prophet and one Book. He called upon the people not to forget the motto “unity, faith and discipline”—explaining “faith in God, in ourselves and in our destiny.” And that addressed the problem of getting united.

Worth recalling is the Quaid’s address to the Tribal Jirga at the Government House in Peshawar, which had a point of wisdom for civil and military officers who believed in service to the masses: “ We must stand united as one nation; in unity lies strength -- united we stand, divided we fall.”

Old men rightly point out the weak and the defenceless in the imperfect world invite aggression from others. “The best way in which we can serve the cause of peace is by removing the temptation from the path of those who think that we are weak and, therefore, they can bully or attack us.”

So, the point is that businessmen, traders and producers also have to back the call of the common people and consumers -- and eventually make homeland an epitome of unity. The common man in fact wants that there should not be any power tussle but everybody should work dedicatedly for collective good of the country. That will further strengthen the national unity.

— zasarwar@hotmail.com