- By: Captain Umar Farooq (Retd)
Pakistan, a beautiful homeland awarded by Allah, stands as a testament to great leadership, wisdom, and vision. The journey towards its creation was initiated by the Poet of the East, Allama Iqbal, who first envisioned a separate homeland for Muslims. The name “Pakistan” was suggested by Choudhary Rahmat Ali, and the national anthem was penned by Hafeez Jalandhari.
The sacrifices made for a strong and separate Muslim state are numerous. Tipu Sultan fought valiantly, and Sultan Mahmood Ghaznavi made 17 significant attacks to establish a Muslim state. Muhammad bin Qasim propagated Islam in Sindh, and the heroes of the 1857 independence war laid down their lives for liberty.
Pakistan’s historical background is rich and remarkable. It is the state of Abdul Sattar Edhi, Malala Yousafzai, Arshad Nadeem, Arfa Karim, Jahangir Khan, and Jansher Khan. It is home to the Chhipa Welfare Association and Ruth Pfau, who dedicated her life to fighting leprosy in Pakistan. Spiritually, it is the home of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, Baba Bulleh Shah, Baba Fariduddin, and Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai.
Geographically, Pakistan boasts the most glaciers in any plain state and has provided the largest contingent to UN peacekeeping missions. It is the first Islamic nuclear state and home to the sixth-largest army. Pakistan is advancing in technology, preparing fighter jets and drones, and is blessed with beautiful northern areas and the Himalayan ranges.
Despite facing severe earthquakes, floods, and environmental challenges, Pakistan has shown resilience. It hosts 5 million Afghan refugees and welcomes Siberian birds every year. Pakistan is a symbol of hope, passion, and commitment. It is a wonderful and awesome state.
As we celebrate this Independence Day, let’s strive to eliminate corruption, nepotism, and ethical issues. Let’s put Pakistan first, stay positive, love our country and its institutions, and hope for the best.