The nation will celebrate Pakistan Day on Monday with great zeal and enthusiasm in remembrance of “The Pakistan Resolution” passed on March 23 in 1940. The day will dawn with special prayers for solidarity and integrity of Pakistan. Various programmes will be arranged to commemorate the most outstanding achievement of the Muslims of South Asia who passed the historic Pakistan Resolution at Lahore.

"Muslims are a nation according to any definition of nation. We wish our people to develop to the fullest spiritual, cultural, economic, social and political life in a way that we think best and in consonance with our own ideals and according to the genius of our people".

On the basis of the above mentioned ideas of Quaid-e-Azam, A. K. Fazl-ul-Haq moved the historical resolution which has since come to be known as Lahore Resolution. It was backed up by Maulana Zafar Ali, Sardar Aurangzeb, Sir Abdullah Haroon from Sindh, and Qazi Esa along with many others.

We have forgotten how to be Pakistanis. We tend to forget about all those people who sacrificed their lives to give us this beautiful country, rich in all resources. It is time to recognise our duty to Pakistan as Pakistanis. This 23rd March, let’s all make a solemn promise that we will start showing respect for what we have and start to rebuild the image of Pakistan. Let’s start to work towards making this country into a peaceful nation where all religions, cast and creed can live in harmony.

What should the future hold, particularly on a day as this, when we celebrate the anniversary of the resolution to seek an independent, democratic and progressive homeland? Continuity of the democratic dispensation, enabling the system to stand on its feet; permitting it the necessary assurance and confidence to mature into a system of governance with inclusive democratic participation; and providing time to all other political entities to establish themselves into parties with as large a national base as their appeal would permit. Politics of regionalism is anathema to the concept of Pakistan, which with a few federating units only is at risk of non-inclusion when majority is attained through one province. It was touch and go, but finally the situation held out against all signs of rapid deterioration.

An inclusive political dispensation is the only way to hold Pakistan together. And in that there should never be any procrastination. It shall, however, need fast maturation of political personalities, processes and entities. The days of frivolous, gamely politics are long over; the nation will now demand leadership on issues and policies in line with contemporary requirements.

And yes, Happy Pakistan Day. God knows we need the good wishes contained therein.