A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition powered by lyrics that bring to fore the history, traditions and struggles which resulted in the country coming into being.

Every national anthem in the world has a rich history, and so does ours. When Pakistan came into existence in 1947, it was without a national anthem so as the Governor General, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah requested renowned Hindu poet Jagannath Azad to write one. Mr Azad did a tremendous job with Aye Sar Zameen-e-Pak, which was written in less than a week's time. It was personally approved by Quaid-e-Azam and was sung for the next few years.

Sadly, Mr Azad migrated to India despite his earlier intention of staying back in Lahore. With his departure, a search began for a new anthem, which would be penned by a Pakistani. The impending state visit of Shah of Iran gave the chairman of National Anthem Committee a chance to test the new anthem. The failure of prominent poets and several composers to come up with one made him turn to his committee colleague and music composer, Ahmed Ghulam Ali Chagla. With the aid of Pakistan navy's band, Chagla submitted the theme in 1950, which got its lyrics two years later when renowned poet Hafeez Jalindhari's work was selected from over 700 entries.

The three-stanza composition was played for the first time during Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan's official visit to United States in 1950. It was officially adopted in 1954, when it was played with its lyrics just a day before the nation's seventh Independence Day. The anthem is evocative in spirit, describing Pakistan as the centre of faith and freedom, with natural beauty, its amazing strength and above all, its independence.

The Qaumi Tarana as we know it, may seem difficult to understand at first but it grows on you with the passage of time. Like a favourite song that sticks to your mind, the anthem and its magical lyrics leave a lasting impression. It begins with “Pak Sar Zameen Shaad Baad” which when translated, means “Blessed be the sacred land”.

“Kishwar-e-Haseen Shaad Baad”, meaning “Happy be the rewarding domain” follows. The poet does a commendable job by putting the exact words the composition wanted with “Tu Nishan-e-Azm-e-Aalishan, Arz-e-Pakistan”, meaning “the land of Pakistan is a symbol of high resolve”, ending the first stanza with “Markaz-e-Yaqeen Shaad Baad”, meaning “Be Blessed O Citadel of Faith!”

The second stanza gains pace with music, and details the system of the country by referring to it as “Pak Sar Zameen ka Nizaam”, and goes on with “Quwat-e-Akhuwatt-e-Awam” standing for “The might of the people is in unity”, adding “Quam, Mulk, Sultanat”, i.e. “Nation, country and the state” in the process. “Paainda Ta Binda Baad, Shaad Baad Manzil-e-Murad” thus completes the second stanza meaning it all should revel in everlasting glory, and that it should be the goal of all our ambitions.

The last stanza is where the euphoria reaches its pinnacle. As soon as one delivers “Parcham-e-Sitara-O-Hilaal”, one eyes the great flag featuring a crescent and a star flying high. The mystery behind the difficult seeming words begins to unravel itself with “Rehbar-e-Taraqqi O Kamal”, instructing all to follow the flag towards a progress that's perfect.

It is followed by “Tarjuman-e-Maazi Shaan-e-Haal, Jaan-e-Istaqbal” meaning the symbol of the nation — the flag — is the interpreter of our glorious past and splendid present, to be followed by an inspirational future that we will help in building the nation.

The impending lines are the ones where all bow their heads because as soon as any Pakistani, anywhere in the world delivers “Saya-e-Khuda-e-Zul Jalaal”, he/she endlessly thanks the Almighty Allah for the beautiful country He has given us, and asks for His protection till eternity.