KARACHI, Dec 26: Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah did not visualize a theocratic Pakistan, but a democratic, modern, forward-looking secular homeland for the Muslims where every citizen would enjoy equal rights according to the law and where there would be no discrimination on the basis of religion, ethnicity, etc.

This was stated by the renowned biographer of the Quaid, Prof Stanley Wolpert, during a lecture at the Agha Khan University on the “Quaid’s vision of Pakistan” on Wednesday. The lecture was part of the 125th birth anniversary celebrations.

During his talk, Prof Wolpert focused mainly on the incorruptible character and determination of Mr Jinnah by quoting from his work the crucial decisions Mr Jinnah had taken at the critical juncture in the history of the Muslims of South Asia.

He observed that the blue print for a separate homeland as envisioned by the Quaid gave highest priority to education, followed by efforts for economic uplift and political training.

When asked to elaborate the Quaid’s vision of the military’s role and rule in Pakistan, Prof Wolpert sought refuge in a diplomatic reply, saying that “he (Quaid-i-Azam) was a constitutionalist. One of the reasons why he became Governor General was that. He very strongly believed that the military should be ready to defend the frontiers of the country. As a person firmly believing in the rule of law, I believe he would have given primacy to civil over military rule”.

In his talk, Mr Wolpert referred to various historical events that forced the “best ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity” to become firm in his resolve to demand equal rights for the Muslims of the subcontinent and to challenge the claims of the Indian National Congress that the Raj and the Congress were the only two parties in the sub-continent. The Quaid had vehemently stated that the Muslims were the third party on the chessboard of the subcontinent and that the Congress was a Hindu party.

What Mr Wolpert did not touch upon was whether the current acrimonious relations between India and Pakistan were the off- shoot of the divergent historical moorings of the two communities.

He noted that it was the arrogance and persecution by the Congress that had compelled Mr Jinnah to secure the rights of the Muslim nation on the basis of equality.

He said that the Quaid-i-Azam had laid great emphasis on unity among the Muslims and had called upon them to depend on themselves rather than looking elsewhere for solution and blaming others for their problems.

He also dealt with the Quaid’s role as the architect of the Lucknow pact and the efforts made by the Quaid for rapprochement with the Congress after the 1937 provincial elections.

The eminent historian said the struggle of the Quaid had not been for a theocratic state but for a modern state with equal opportunities for all. His pointed out dubious role of Lord Mountbatten and the questionable Radcliffe Boundary award.

It was high time, he said, the vision of the Quaid brought out by ensuring the rule of law, impartial justice to all, including minorities, men and women.

Answering a question, he said the Quaid had on balance stood for secular and not fundamentalist system, as he believed in law and constitutionalism.

But Prof Wolpert’s contention that the Quaid envisioned a secular Pakistan, was questioned.

Asked how much in his views the Pakistanis had deviated from Quaid’s vision, the biographer said that “you may have deviated by 180 degrees but many of you are ready, and you have a leadership, to come back”.

He did not agree with the contention that the Quaid had used the demand for Pakistan as a bargaining chip. “I don’t think Jinnah was using the demand of Pakistan as a bargain as he really believed it was the destiny of the Muslims of the sub-continent.”

Referring to questions as to why Mr Jinnah had agreed to become the first Governor General of Pakistan, his biographer said that perhaps Mountbatten had wanted to become super Governor General. “Jinnah also wanted to show the level of equality with the leaders of the Indian dominion which was not ruled by an Indian.”

He clearly stated that the Quaid believed in Secular-Muslim welfare state not a “fundamental” state.

Wolpert, who is author of world famous book “Jinnah of Pakistan” said that Quaid-e-Azam had been a practical leader.

He said that the Quaid Azam had not believed in revolutionary violent politics, instead he (Quaid) had been in favour of argument.

Wolpert dwelt on various aspects of the political life of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and said “Jinnah believed Pakistan is the only destiny of Muslims of India.”

Earlier, the president of the Agha Khan University, Shams Kassim Lakha, referred to the events in the region which have again placed Pakistan at a crossroads. He talked of the sounds and fury of months of bitter fighting on the western frontier, “while on eastern borders clouds are again gathering over perennially troubled region”.

He also talked about the problems within the borders — political and ethnic tensions and the threat of extremism. In many ways, he said, the Pakistan of today bore little resemblance to the nation envisaged by the Quaid-i- Azam.

He emphasized that the Quaid believed in pluralism and a model democratic state governed by Islamic principles of tolerance and the rule of law.

Mr Sharifuddin Pirzada, chief of the Quaid-i-Azam year committee, in his vote of thanks said the Quaid had envisioned Pakistan as a democracy.

He also referred to the blueprint the Quaid had envisioned for the Muslims to make a viable homeland.

When a participant accused him of always supporting the despots, Mr Pirzada replied that he was a lawyer and whoever, including politicians, sought his advice, he had given them as a professional.

GOVERNOR HOUSE: Stanley Wolpert will present a talk on “Jinnah of Pakistan” at the Governor House here on Thursday, adds APP.