INSTEAD of shedding colonial mindset right at the outset, we continue to adhere to it even after independence. So far we have not made any significant effort to preserve our national dress etc. This leads to an identity crisis.
The Jinnah cap and sherwani are associated with the Quaid. It is also regarded as the official dress worn by the Father of the Nation. The great Pakistani leaders of the past like Liaquat Ali Khan, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, Khwaja Nazimuddin, Qazi Muhammad Essa and Sir Shah Nawaz Khan used to wear the Jinnah cap and sherwani.
Muslim Leaguers also wore the dress frequently after independence. Many judges of the superior courts wear sherwani while sitting in courts.
Ironically, the tradition of wearing Jinnah cap and sherwani is fading. We seem to be disrespecting rather ridiculing our great Quaid’s dress. The media should play its due role in highlighting the importance of wearing our national dress on public occasions and international events.
MOHSIN RAZA MALIK Lahore
