NOVANEWS
By Sajjad Shaukat
Drought in Tharparkar in Sindh, which was going on for the last three years, has been worsened
recently to a dangerous level, raising the death toll of starving children. It has adequately
exposed the real worth of the rulers, uncovering their verbal assertions to reach the poor masses
in order to save their lives.
In this regard, Supreme Court of Pakistan, most of the political parties like PTI and even the
leader of PPP, Makhdoom Amin Fahim have held Sindh government led by Chief Minister Syed
Qaim Ali Shah responsible for Tharparkar’s drought tragedy.
But, in order to divert the attention from the irresponsibility of their government in Sindh, PPP
leader Shehla Raza has misperceived the ideological foundation of Pakistan. She has tried to
hide criminal acts of negligence to create speculations among the loyal and patriotic people of
Pakistan by suggesting to them that the very slogan of Pakistan, “Pakistan KA Matlab Kia, La-
e-Laha-illallah” was not associated with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. In this respect,
Shehla Raza stated on Capital TV that this slogan was never part of Pakistan movement and
that she was ready to debate the issue at any forum. She argued that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad
Ali Jinnah in his address had said that all sects are free to offer prayers according to their
religion. Thus, she expressed her skewed ideas, based on immature and reckless thoughts. She
seems totally confused on Quaid-e-Azam’s vision for Pakistan and tried to puzzle the devoted
audiences of Pakistan. She not only tried to distort the history, but also injured the feelings of
people by attempting to create misgivings about Pakistan.
Perhaps Shehla Raza does not know that Two Nation Theory which was basis of the Ideology
of Pakistan, was kept alive from Sir Syed Ahmed Khan to Quaid-e-Azam. Undoubtedly,
Two Nation Theory stated that Muslims of the Sub-continent have their own Islamic culture,
traditions and religion which are quite different from those of Hindus.
In accordance with the Two Nation Theory, Allama Iqbal had demanded a separate land for the
Muslims, where they could live freely according to their own religion, culture and social norms.
Both Allama Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam endorsed the Ideology of Pakistan which is based upon
the Islamic principles. Although Muhammad Ali Jinnah had said that that all minorities and sects
will live freely according to their religious norms, yet he never rejected the Two Nation Theory
or Ideology of Pakistan, as misinterpreted by Shehla Raza.
Notably, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in his sermon at Hajjatul Wida issued directions for
protection of life, property and dignity of the whole mankind. The sermon became a charter of
democracy which was included in the constitutions of the western elected governments in one
However, the Constitution of 1973 which was adopted during the PPP founder, Prime Minister
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto (The late), was signed by the members of all political and religious parties.
It declares the country, The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and clearly mentions that Pakistan
is basically a democracy, guided by the Islamic principles and values—no law would be made
contrary to Quran and Sunnah—the government will made efforts to implement Islamic system
in future. So, the Constitution itself verifies the Ideology of Pakistan which emanates from the
There is no controversy regarding the foundation of the country, while its ideology is free from
Talibanization, as Taliban want to impose their own self-perceived agenda of Islam on majority
of Pakistanis. And Islam does not allow elimination of innocent persons through suicide attacks,
bomb blasts, beheadings and targeted killings.
Unfortunately, whenever politicians or rulers failed in controlling any crisis, they started
crafting baseless stories. Some entities try to translate the Ideology of Pakistan to suite their
agenda. In these terms, Shehla Raza has diverted the attention of media and masses to hide her
government’s gross negligence, which badly failed in providing food and water to the feminine-
hit people of Tharparkar. Following Machiavellian diplomacy, she may save her face at political
level, but, in fact, people from all segment of society have well-measured her sincerity towards
PPP politician, Shehla Raza must think that she is also a Muslim and she must feel shy over her
ill-conceived thoughts about the Ideology of Pakistan.
In this connection, Orya Maqbool Jan has already invited Shehla Raza to visit Lahore, asking
her to educate herself that the slogan, “Pakistan KA Matlab Kia, La-e-Laha-illallah” was correct
and was also used by Quaid-e-Azam. So media must denounce her conceit about Quaid’s vision
for Pakistan. Media must suggest to Shehla Raza that as a politician, she is the chosen icon of
the country. It is her duty to defend the Ideology of Pakistan rather than creating mistrust among
Nevertheless, spreading speculations about the independence of Pakistan and promoting
the ideals of Maulana Aul Kalam Azad who opposed its creation to earn Hindu approval in
India, not only injure feelings of people, but also confuse them. Shehla Raza must correct her
perception regarding the values of slogans used by the founder of Pakistan.
In every country, national slogans and symbols are representation of collective national will. At
the time of partition of the Sub-continent, the entire nation used the slogan “Pakistan KA Matlab
Kia, La-e-Laha-illallah” and through the power of this slogan, they united the people by making
Pakistan a tangible reality. Once Pakistan was created, then all minorities and sects were free to
follow their own sectarian practices and traditions of their faith. Confusion must not be created
among simple people who love this country and its purpose, while believing in the Ideology of
Therefore, Shehla Raza is advised to rectify her misperceived thoughts about the Two Nation
Theory and Ideology of Pakistan which are interrelated. She must stopped self-assumed
interpretition regarding Quaid-e-Azam’s vision for Pakistan, and instead, concentrates on good
governance—resolve the basic problems faced by people of Sindh, especially the masses at
