THIS refers to the article ‘Saving the Quaid’ (Dec 25). I wish to point out the fact that Urdu as the national language was proposed through a resolution in the constituent assembly by two MPs from East Pakistan, and not by the Quaid himself, who was Gujrati-speaking and who was supportive of regional languages.

Obviously, the lingua franca had been Urdu before and after partition and remains so even today. It makes perfect sense as a common national denominator, like the English language holds internationally.

Similarly, there should have been a commission of inquiry to investigate why the Quaid was not given the care and respect that he was absolutely entitled to when he returned from Ziarat to Karachi. It was undoubtedly an unforgivable act of misgovernance.

Zia Hashmi
Karachi

(2)

THIS is with reference to the article ‘Saving the Quaid’ (Dec 25). The Quaid, who continues to live in every Pakistani heart, was a human after all. In our desperation to place our icons on a pedestal, we turn a blind eye and a deaf ear to facts and circumstances.

We need to make detailed information on the Quaid’s persona readily available to all students of history in schools and colleges.

Besides, there should be frequent discussions on the electronic media on the life and struggles of the Quaid instead of the usual everyday political discourse where participants scream, howl and yell for attention.

Talat Rahim
Karachi

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2021