Speech at a Mammoth Rally at the University
Stadium, Lahore on 30th October. 1947
We have achieved our cherished goal of freedom and have established
Pakistan as an independent, sovereign State, fifth largest in the world.
That freedom can never be attained by a nation without suffering and sacrifice
has been amply borne out by the recent tragic happenings in this subcontinent.
We are in the midst of unparalleled difficulties and untold sufferings;
we have been through dark days of apprehension and anguish; but I can say
with confidence that with courage and self-reliance and by the Grace of
God we shall emerge triumphant.
Some people might think that the acceptance of the June 3 Plan was a
mistake on the part of the Muslim League. I would like to tell them that
the consequences of any other alternative would have been too disastrous
to imagine. On our side we proceeded to implement this plan with a clean
conscience and honest intentions. Time and history will prove that. On
the other hand, history will also record its verdict on those whose treachery
and machinations let loose forces of disorder and disruption in this subcontinent
causing death of lakhs, enormous destruction of property and bringing about
suffering and misery to many million by uprooting them from their homes
and hearths and all that was dear to them. The systematic massacre of defenseless
and innocent people puts to shame even the most heinous atrocities committed
by the worst tyrant known to history. We have been the victims of a deeply-laid
and well-planned conspiracy executed with utter disregard of the elementary
principle of honesty, chivalry and honor. We thank Providence for giving
us courage and faith to fight these forces of evil. If we take our inspiration
and guidance from the Holy Quran, the final victory, I once again say,
will be ours.
Do not for a moment imagine that your enemies can ever succeed in their
designs. But at the same time do not make light of the situation facing
you. Search your hearts and whether you have done your part in the construction
of this new and mighty State.
Do not be over whelmed by the enormity of the task. There is many an
example in history of young nations building themselves up by sheer determination
and force of character. You are made of sterling material and are second
to none. Why should you also not succeed like many others, like your own
forefathers. You have only to develop the spirit of the "Mujahids". You
are a nation whose history is replete with people of wonderful grit, character
and heroism. Live up to your traditions and add to it another chapter of
glory.
All I require of you now is that everyone of us to whom this message
reaches must vow to himself and be prepared to sacrifice his all, if necessary,
in building up Pakistan as a bulwark of Islam and as one of the greatest
nations whose ideal is peace within and peace. Your immediate task is the
rehabilitation of millions of our distressed and unfortunate brethren who
are either already with us or who have still to join us in Pakistan, bereft
of all they possessed or had in this world. The least we now can do for
them is to receive them as our own brethren. No decent or sane person should
consider that they are unwelcome burden thrust on us. Save all you can
and give towards the relief of these victims of bestiality and vandalism
who have suffered all this for the sole reason that they are Muslims.
Along with this, keep up your morale. Do not be afraid of death. Our
religion teaches us to be always prepared for death. We should face it
bravely to save the honor of Pakistan and Islam. There is no better salvation
for a Muslim than the death of a martyr for a righteous cause.
I would also impress upon every member of this State, particularly our
youth, to show the right spirit of devotion, courage and fortitude, to
give a lead to the others and to set a nobler and higher example for those
who may follow us and the coming generations.
Remember that the scrupulous maintenance and enforcement of law and
order are the prerequisites of all progress. The tenets of Islam enjoin
on every Mussalman to give protection to his neighbors and to the minorities
regardless of caste and creed. Despite the treatment, which is being meted
out to the Muslim minorities in India, we must make it a matter of our
prestige and honor to safeguard the lives of the minority communities and
to create a sense of security among them. I would like to impress upon
every Mussalman, who has at heart the welfare and the prosperity of Pakistan,
to avoid retaliation and to exercise restraint, because retaliation and
violation of law and order will ultimately result in weakening the very
foundations of the edifice you have cherished all these years to erect.
Do your duty and have faith in God. There is no power on earth that
can undo Pakistan. It has come to stay. Our deeds are proving to the world
that we are in the right and I can assure you that the sympathies of the
world, particularly of the Islamic countries, are with you. We in turn
are grateful to every nation who has stretched out to us its hand of help
and friendliness.
In the end, I once again appeal to the good sense of every subject and
citizen of our State not to take law and order into his own hands but so
to behave and act as to be a pillar of strength to his Government and leaders
who are sincerely doing their best to put an end to the miseries and hardships
of our unfortunate brethren seeking shelter with us, and battling against
grave danger and menace which is facing us.
Pakistan Zindabad