Common people, who used to say their socio-economic problems had not been tackled as justly as they had expected with the advent of democracy, assert they had long aspired to unity in national interest.
“We suffered as victims of inherited class system in almost all walks of life bearing the brunt of food price hike all the time, but now -- poorly fed, hungry or unemployed -- we’re united as a nation ready to meet the enemy from within or without, be they terrorists, their helpers; hoarders, profiteers and exploiters; we believe in unity ordained by Almighty God.”
One has come across many young and old citizens who once talked of unity of thought and action, and prayed for that, and also asked: Who divides masses?
Common people say there’s a crisis of selfless and dedicated leadership like the one provided by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
What is indispensable for a nation? “It’s the people’s unity strengthened by the concept of being one in thought, speech and action,” say city elders.
Pakistan’s founder 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 addresses the problem of getting united.
The father of the nation was mindful of the military and he did not underestimate its role in context of the country’s unity, freedom and survival.
Worth recalling is his 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: businessmen, traders and producers should listen to the call of common people and consumers -- and eventually make homeland an epitome of unity.
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