A SACRED UNDERTAKING
Broadcast Speech from the Pakistan Radio, Lahore on 30th October, 1947
A few days ago, I received harrowing accounts of the terrible happenings
in the Punjab and the situation, from all accounts, appeared to be so grave
that I decided to come to Lahore. On my arrival here, I immediately got
in touch with various sources that were available to me and I was deeply
grieved to realize that unfortunately, there was a great deal of truth
in what had been told to me. I am speaking to you under deep distress and
with a heavy heart. We have, undoubtedly, achieved Pakistan and that too
without bloody war and practically peacefully by moral and intellectual
force and with the power of pen which is no less mighty than the sword
and so our righteous cause has triumphed. Are we now going to besmear and
tarnish this greatest achievement for which there is not parallel in the
whole history of the world by resorting to frenzy, savagery and butchery?
And, will this lead us anywhere? Pakistan is now a fait accompli and it
can never be undone, besides, it was the only just, honorable and practical
solution of the most complex constitutional problem of this great sub-continent.
The division of India is now finally and irrevocably effected. No doubt,
we feel that the carving out of this great independent, sovereign Muslim
State has suffered injustice. We have been squeezed inasmuch as it was
possible and the latest blow that we have received was the Award of the
Boundary Commission. It is an unjust, incomprehensible and even perverse
Award. It may be wrong, unjust and perverse and it may not be a judicial
award, but political award but we had agreed to abide by it and it is binding
upon us. As honorable people we must abide by it. It may be our misfortune,
but we must bear up this one more blow with fortitude, courage and hope.
Let us now plan to build and reconstruct and regenerate our great nation
and our sovereign State of Pakistan which, you know, is not only the biggest
Muslim State in the world but the fifth biggest sovereign State in the
world. Now is the time, chance and opportunity for every Mussalman to make
his or her fullest and best contribution and make the greatest sacrifice
and work ceaselessly and selflessly in the service of our nation and make
Pakistan one of the greatest nations of the world. It is in your hands;
we have undoubtedly talents; Pakistan is blessed with enormous resources
and potentialities; Providence has endowed us with all the wealth of nature
and now it lies with man to make best of it.
It is agreed on all hands that peace should be restored without delay
and that law and order must be established and maintained at any cost.
Now it is up to leaders and the rank and file of the communities to leave
no stone unturned in fulfilling the sacred and honorable undertaking that
was given at the Special Conference on the 29th August, to protect the
minorities and work in everywhere for the welfare and safety of the refugees.
The Lahore Conference of 29th has further laid down categorically certain
ways and means to be adopted to implement its decisions and such further
measures will be taken which have the solemn, firm and determined sanction
of the Pakistan and the Dominion of India Government. Henceforth they will
be naturally responsible, as the Punjab Boundary Force which was limited
only to certain areas, could not deal with entire Punjab --both West and
East, especially now as the rural areas have also been affected and, therefore,
it has been abolished.
These decisions and measures adopted by the Special Conference should
reassure the people of all communities that the Pakistan and India Government
are determined to put down ruthlessly these orgies and their far-reaching
consequences. But it requires the communities concerned to realize the
folly and futility of indulging in this savagery which has already taken
a colossal toll of human life and especially of the innocent ones and has
displaced hundreds of thousands of innocent people rendered them- homeless
and delivered them to starvation who are wandering about in the countryside
for their lives --besides resulting in destruction of property on an extensive
scale.
This is not the moment for me to go into the origin or cause of all
that is happening or to apportion blame as to which community has disgraced
itself more. It will be for the historians to give their verdict. Humanity
cries loud against this shameful conduct and the deeds that have been committed.
Those who are responsible for this holocaust must be dealt with an iron
hand and put down ruthlessly. The civilized world is looking upon these
doings and happenings with horror and the fair name of the communities
concerned stands blackened in the eyes of the world.
It is now up to the leaders and those responsible and in charge of the
Governments to make their supreme effort to make amends for this indelible
stigma. While the horizon is beset with dark clouds, let me appeal to you
and give this message to the people of Pakistan. Create enthusiasm and
spirit and go forward with your task, with courage and hope and we shall
do it. Are we downhearted? Certainly not. This history of Islam is replete
with instances of velour, grit and determination. So march on notwithstanding
obstruction, obstacles and interference; and I feel confident that a united
nation of 70 million people with a grim determination and with a great
civilization and history need fear nothing. It is now up to you to work,
work and more work; and we are bound to succeed. And never forget our motto:
Unity, Discipline and Faith".
I have so far spoken to you in English as you know that the eyes of
the world are upon Pakistan and we are watched by the various nations of
the world with keenest interest since the establishment of Pakistan as
an independent, sovereign State which has been a great and historical event.
I, therefore, used the medium of English so as to be able to reach the
world-wide audience, which exhibited great interest in Pakistan.
The text of my broadcast will be translated in Urdu and read to you
in a few minutes time as well as published in the Press tomorrow, but,
nevertheless, I would also like to say a few words in Urdu.
Pakistan Zindabad
(URDU PART )
Punjab kay Mossalmanon kay bulanay per main atthaees (28) tarikh ko Lahore aya
Jahan tak muj say ho saka ............aur Jis tarah muj se ho saka main
ne asal aur theek theek halaat ka pata lagaya aur aj kal jo kuchh ho raha
hai us ko samajhnay ki poori koshish ki.
Ap ko is wakt maloom ho gaya hoga ke Lahore main' jo Special Conference
huee thee..... us main kya kya faislay kiye gaye.........aur un par amal
karnay kay kaunse kadam uthay gaye.
Is Conference main Indian Dominion aur Pakistan ki Hakoomaton kay Numayinday
......... Dominion of India aur Pakistan kay Governor General yanee Lord
Mounibatten aur main ............. hamaray salahkar aur specialists shamil
thay.
Conference nay pooray pooray itifak kay sath yeh elaan kiya hai....
keye dono hakoomaton ka ye paak farz hai ki who awam kay mal aur jaan ki
har tarah say hifazat karengi...aur hazaron ki tadaad main jo log apna
qhar bar chhor kar bhaag rahay hain ........ unki hifazat ........... unki
dekh-bhal ...........aur behtari kay liya dono hakoomaten apni apni takat
kay mutabik sab kuchh kerengi.
Main apko yaqin dilata hun ki jahaan tak Pakistan ki hakoomat ka tualaq
hai ...... ham apni zirnma-dari ko sar-anjam daynay key liye sab huchh
karengay.
Mujey poori ummeed hai ke Indian Dominion ki hakoomat bhi aisa hi karegi
Jin jin baton par ham nay iqurar kya hai agar unko ba-izzat tarikay
say ......... aur pooray iraday aur takat say poora kiya gaya to mujhay
yaqeen hai ke is wakt jo nazuk surathall paida ho chuki hai us-main jaldi
he acchhi tabdili paida hogi .......... aur ham sab phir aman-o-amaan say
dono Hakoomaton main azad qaumon ki trah zindgi khushee say basar karengay.