NEW DELHI: The demand for a corridor between Eastern and Western Pakistan; friendly and reciprocal relations between Hindustan and Pakistan; a military alliance, pact or treaty between the two; and membership of the United Nations for Pakistan — these are the highlights of a series of answers given by Qaed-e-Azam M.A. Jinnah … to Doon Campbell, Reuter’s correspondent… .

Replying to a question regarding the partition of the Punjab and Bengal, the Qaed-e-Azam observed, “Partition of the Punjab and Bengal, if effected, will no doubt weaken Pakistan to a certain extent. Weak Pakistan and a strong Hindustan will be a temptation for the strong Hindustan to try to dictate. … Pakistan must be a viable Pakistan and sufficiently strong as a balance vis-à-vis Hindustan. I am, therefore deadly against the partition of Bengal and the Punjab… .”

Broadly outlining the constitutional structure of Pakistan, the Qaed-e-Azam said, the Government of Pakistan can only be popular, representative and democratic form of Government. Its Parliament and Cabinet responsible to the Parliament will both be finally responsible to the electorate and the people in general without any distinction of caste, creed, or sect… .

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2022