ISLAMABAD: Parliamentarians have called for making the resolution adopted on March 23, 1940, and Jinnah’s maiden speech to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, guiding principles for all state organs to fulfill their constitutional obligations and duties and to bring the country out of the current socioeconomic and political crises.

They were speaking at a seminar to commemorate 80 years of the passage of Pakistan Resolution and to pay homage to Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah at the Pakistan Institute for Parliamentary Services on Monday.

The event was organised by the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee in collaboration with National Forum. It was addressed by Senator Raza Rabbani, Senator Raja Zafarul Haq, Leader of the House in the Senate Shibli Faraz, Senator Fakhar Imam, former foreign minister Sartaj Aziz and Senate Foreign Committee Chairman Mushahid Hussain.

Senator Rabbani highlighted the significance of the Lahore Resolution and called on the state to protect the rights of minorities, oppressed and marginalised people.The former Senate chairman said that Jinnah’s maiden speech at the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, was a true depiction of his vision for a democratic, tolerant and egalitarian Pakistan and should be a guiding principle for all.

Seminar held to commemorate 80 years of passage of Pakistan Resolution

He said fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution were being violated and nepotism and prejudices inherited from colonial powers were still rife in the country.The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Raja Zafarul Haq spoke about Jinnah’s character, courage, convictions and vision. He also acknowledged the contribution of Allama Iqbal, who played a pivotal role in bringing Jinnah back to India from London who then materialised the poet’s philosophy and vision in securing a separate homeland for Muslims.

Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir Fakhar Imam said Jinnah as the greatest of all his contemporary leaders and stressed on implementing his legacy by providing basic amenities of life and quality education to the citizens.

Mr Aziz recalled from anecdotes the tumultuous time of freedom movement and the memorable moment when he had met Jinnah as a student leader.

He stressed the need for imbibing the leadership qualities in the youth to prepare them for future challenges.

Senator Shibli Faraz said that Jinnah was a role model for all, while Senator Hussain spoke about his commitment to women’s rights, saying he was instrumental in passing legislation regarding property rights for women.

He said he supported the revolutionary leader Bhagat Singh when he was imprisoned by British colonial rulers and later hanged.

“Quaid-i-Azam had no army, no atom bomb, no establishment support and no big money yet he had character, commitment, leadership qualities and support of the Muslim masses, which enabled him to achieve a separate statehood through the democratic process,” he said.

A group of 50 students from the Islamia College University in Peshawar also attended the event on special invitation. They proposed hosting a similar event in Peshawar at their university.

Senator Hussain accepted the invitation and announced that the National Forum will organise similar events in the provincial capitals including the Government College University in Lahore and the Sindh Madrassatul Islam University in Karachi.

At the conclusion of the seminar, special souvenirs were presented to the speakers. A song in praise of Jinnah was sung by students of Quaid-i-Azam University.

Published in Dawn, March 3rd, 2020