Tagheyyur.

This interview is divided into series for easy reading purpose. You can read parts I , II , III and IV as mentioned. During freedom movement, the Muslims sadly didn't have access to different forms of media as Indian Congress had. Congress even had voices in British Parliament which spoke on their behalf; ruling Muslims totally out of mainstream. As a result, common English person didn't know which minorities existed in sub-continent and what was their stance. In this backdrop, they were unaware of Muslims' struggles and how they were subjugated. And so they were in favor of United India. Also, it was (and also today) falsely believed that British wanted to create Pakistan. It is one of the greatest lies of history. Quaid-e-Azam made it a point in many of his speeches that "it was the common man who came first. You (educated people) came later" [for Pakistan Movement]. It is also discussed in detail in Mr. Khurram Ali Shafique's new book, Aazadi (u...

Aazadi book lays down the journey of freedom from slavery and foreign rule. This book breaks so many idols and brings out shocking facts, yes facts which were literally erased from our books, minds, hearts. It rightly claims that if only we accept what is presented in this book we will have our legacy again., and it is not a mere wish of the author but what our hailed ancestors struggled and lived for. Where do we come from? Why did we come out of India? How did it happen and many more likely questions are answered in this book. It is usually wrongly believed that there was mutual hate among Muslims, Hindus and Britishers and thats how Pakistan came into being. The author discusses this lie which is fed especially to young Muslim of Pakistan. The hate was not mutual. Neither it always existed. Hindus and Muslims lived peacefully in Muslim Empire. Muslim Emperors went out of their ways to keep the peace for Hindus and not make them feel they were ruled by foreigners....

  (Int erview continues) SELF(BN): And does that also apply to defense? JINNAH: Of course it applies to defense. Once again I will ask you a question. How is Afghanistan defended? Well? The answer is not very complicated. By the Afghans. Just that. We are a brave and united people who are prepared to work and, if neces- sary, fight. So how does the question of defence present any peculiar difficulties? In what way do we differ from other nations? From Iran, for example? Obviously, there will have to be a transition period. We are not asking the British to quit India overnight. The British have helped to make this gigantic muddle, and they must stay and help to clear it up. But before they can do that, they will have to do a lot of hard thinking. And that reminds me I have something I would like to show you. He excused himself and left the room. I lit a cigarette and waited. And suddenly I realized that something very remarkable was happening, or rather was ...

This is the third part of the interview series. You can read previous parts here and here . Beverly Nichols interviewed Quaid-e-Azam in 1943 and included it in his book "Verdict On India". He was quite taken with Quaid's personality. Look how he describes him [Jinnah] in the chapter when he reached at his place to meet him.  THE most important man in Asia is sixty-seven, tall, thin, and elegant, with a monocle on a grey silk cord, and a stiff white collar which he wears in the hottest weather. [...] I have called Mr. Jinnah 'the most important man in Asia That was to ensure that you kept him spotlit in your mind. Like all superlatives the description is open to argument, but it is not really so far from the truth. India is likely to be the world's greatest problem for some years to come, and Mr. Jinnah is in a position of unique strategic importance. He can sway the battle this way or that as he chooses.    JINNAH: [with a smile] What other question...

It is a common notion that Quaid-e-Azam united Muslims of India but it is hardly ever acknowledged that the Muslims of India were an organic entity and it was growing on its own terms especially after 1857. This aspect is discussed in depth in my teacher's book "Azaadi" in which he describes painstakingly how Muslim Nation evolved and Pakistan came into being. I am by no means diminishing Quaid's role in freedom movement, no. What I mean to highlight is the Muslims of India had developed their intuition and they were growing onto that. Quaid himself always believed that the people had bestowed the power upon him and not vice versa. He acknowledged this principle number of times. For example, when he was proposing the 14 points for Muslim League he clearly conveyed that these are only suggestions based upon numerous meetings with different minority groups within India and it is unto these groups whether they accept them or reject them.  Here, in below responses al...

My teacher Khurram Ali Shafique sahab recommended me a book, "Verdict On India". There was a chapter in which the writer,  Beverly Nichols interviewed Jinnah in 1943. Though Jinnah promised to give him just half an hour but they actually talked for three hours, concerning matters of wide range.  This post is part of a series where I am going to break down this interview into smaller posts for effective reading.  What I found profound about this interview is the stature of Quaid-e-Azam. The power in his answers is almost tangible. You can feel the strength of his argument and relive the faith which the Muslims of that time felt when they were in Quaid's presence.  Its also amusing (for me) that this interview is sort of an elder is admonishing a child of stupid behavior. Or may be Pakistan has been so much a reality for us that we almost (mentally) accuse different nations of not seeing it so. May be every national feels the same for their country which we fe...

However much I would like to punch Haqqani in the face, I will stick to just facts and teach him some history lessons which he studied long ago and which American shine and glam dazzled out of his brain. "Haqqani said that Pakistan wouldn't be able to fight USA". Not that I want to go on war with any country or I am a jingoist. Nor do I hate US. Yes, I don't like her policies for her fellow countries and I have issues with that. I want the problems to be solved with as much peace as we can work out. We need to act like adults and spare the world of the nukes. Thank you. I don't know what made Haqqani say that . May be the war paraphernalia US has been able to acquire in all these years, or the courage of her soldiers or determination of her generals, or the money they have or how they have always been invading/controlling the countries. I will just talk about 'how' Haqqani is wrong in his claim. Haqqani must remember that the great Alexander was d...

My sister is looking for a good internship program these days and SuperTec sounded good. I went along with her to explore this world as an outsider and I must tell you that it was one of the best experience of my life.  The environment was friendly. The participants had a chance to interact with each other as well as with the curator freely which made the experience more lively. We had the chance to get to know the individuals who are striving in their own unique styles for the betterment of Pakistan. It was heart warming to see such enthusiasm and hope in the youngsters to share with people what they know. About the Foundation:  Supertec was founded on July 2012 .   Their Mission is: To equip the common people with useful technology that empowers them to be more productive.   VISION: Supertec Foundation is Advisors and Consultants to NGO's. It is our way of giving back to the world in a more organized way. General information:   Super Tech...

My teacher wrote the article Election Replay and a point from it struck me peculiar. source " Throughout the past, almost every major contestant has been resorting to some show of force for intimidating their opponents during the elections. Since everybody was involved, it was very easy to blame the political culture of the country and to say  that a nation like Pakistan could not have true democracy; that this is the best which we can get.This sentiment has been reflected in the life and work of those intellectuals who have been supporting various political leaders as champions of democracy without asking those leaders to refrain from un-democratic measures for seizing and holding power." So I was thinking that what made those people think that the nation i.e. we are worthy of such lowly practice and I drew two conclusions: I think, we the nation led them to believe that by behaving in this particular manner. You may call it my naivete that those intellectuals...

There was a street cricket match last night in our area and the lights and colors it brought , in present circumstances, were so invigorating and uplifted my soul. Their cheers were the most melodious sound I have ever heard. The times in Karachi and in whole of Pakistan are very- I think testing would be a better word. I am not going to go into the tirade of how bad the times are. Everybody- who cares enough- knows it. What am I going to write here blew my mind and made me smile.  Pakistani nation is amazing. We, the people painstakingly, are mapping their mistakes, realizing them. And when mapping is done, they are working relentlessly to make them right. To put the country into right direction again. Everybody has got the hold on their special field and putting all of their efforts in it to make it better. Like bees work together- systematically. Slowly. Bit by bit. Motivation, inspiration, aspirations, the Will, of this group is one of the most beautiful things in the World...

I am not sure from where to start. I am having difficulty with coherency as all this blood, hate, apathy is weighing my heart down and down and I am afraid my words will not be enough to carry the ache of the population of Quetta who have been mourning for their dead for so long. Bomb blast site-Quetta mourners with their dead in front of Quetta press club There have been six bomb blasts in Quetta in single day who left around 102 people dead. Imagine six blasts in one day. Mourners didn't bury their dead and protested in front of press club in Quetta, with their dead bodies, asking for army control in province. Quetta's minister has been in Dubai with his family and he was on a transit flight to Frankfurt. Today. The chaos is all over Pakistan and our Political leaders are busy with their own (filthy) tricks of politics. And us, people around Pakistan are also apathetic to the situation in country to some extent. We just sit behind our screens and write some lines...