Apropos the letter on the above topic (Nov 29), I agree with the writer that Charles de Gaulle was a giant statesman who led and galvanised France to great dignity after its humiliating 1940 defeat, and by the end of the 1960s, France was a towering country in the comity of nations.

Let’s make a brief comparison with Pakistan. Our founder, the ‘giant’ M. A. Jinnah, is second to none and ahead of the rest as a leader.

The Quaid ably led, guided and achieved independence from Great Britain and partition from India for millions of Muslims of the Subcontinent’s eastern and western regions.

Unfortunately, his death soon afterwards in 1948, followed by the even more untimely death of his successor, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan in 1951, derailed whatever early aspirations for hard work had been envisioned for the new state. Had our founding fathers lived longer and served Pakistan, this country would have achieved a stronger foundation and today, Pakistan would be standing perhaps with South Korea and Japan.

Alas, we are still awaiting a great leader to lead us to our destiny.

Abbas R. Siddiqi
Lahore

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2017