Since we have been talking here about Jinnah’s vision for Pakistan, maybe we should also think about Jinnah’s vision on Pakistan’s governance. Particularly on the issue of ‘uniforms’ in politics, which is the concern of the day in Pakistan. Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was thinking well ahead of his time. His following address has never been so pertinent as it is now.
On June 14, 1948, addressing the officer at the Military Staff College in Quetta, the Quaid-i Azam said:
During my talks with one or two very high-ranking officers I discovered that they did not know the implications of the oath taken by the troops of Pakistan. Of course, an oath is only a matter of form; what is more important is true spirit and heart. But it is an important form and I would like to take the opportunity of refreshing your memory by reading the prescribed oath to you:
“I solemnly affirm, in the presence of Almighty God, that I owe allegiance to the Constitution and the Dominion of Pakistan and that I will be duty bound honestly and faithfully serve.”
As I have said just now, the spirit is what really matters. I should like you to study the Constitution which is in force in Pakistan at present and understand its true constitutional and legal implications.
(Jinnah, Speeches and Statement 1947-1948, Oxford University Press, 2000).
Lets’ also take a few minutes to review the oath taken by members of the armed services and also the presidential oath, in terms of the constitution:
Oath of allegiance for armed services:
“I, do hereby solemnly swear that I will bear true faith and allegiance to Pakistan and uphold the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan which embodies the will of the people, that I will not engage myself in any political activities whatsoever and that I will honestly and faithfully serve Pakistan in the Pakistan army by and under the law.”
Let me reiterate, the oath states, “not engage myself in any political activities whatsoever”.
Presidential oath:
“That I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions. That I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.”
Jinnah’s vision on the matter of governance of Pakistan and the supremacy of the Constitution and rule of law is very clear. Much more so than that of the rulers of today.
Viewing so many contradictions in the posts, I prefer presenting Ustad Qamar Jalalwi’s verse on Pakistan that
Quaid-e-Azam left behind.
Chaman mein barq ki ye beytakalufi dekho
keh jesay mein nay banaya thaa Gharr ussi keliay.
Adaab arz hay
I would say that Quaid wanted to give clear guidelines to Military as well as Civil Government. I see that people are over joyed when Chief Justice was re-instated. I see that people are over joyed when Nawaz Sharif and Benazir will be allowed to return, but the question is, is anyone out of all these persons interested in getting things right with sincerity ? All I have seen by now is just hatered and victimization and fulfilment of thier own agendas without caring a bit for Pakistan.
Umar,
Nothing against you personally. I find it abhorring when prominent politicians like Sh Rashid, Sher Afgan, Arbab Rahim, Qazi etc talk frivolously about imposing martial law, overthrowing civilian governments. Sorry I took it out on you:)
It is these politicians who should be tried in the SC for sedition.
Just as Germans had to enact very strict laws after Nazi era, Pakistan needs to have strict enforcement of laws when it comes to threatening martial law, derailment of the democratic system etc.
Kruman, there was nothing wrong with my comments on army’s participation in national politics. Politicians from Bhutto to Shujaat Hussain have openly advocated army rule and openly supported military presidents. Even as I write this comment, Gauhar Ayub is sitting on Indus TV and admitting that politicians have been inviting the army to interfere in politics since the 50’s. Pick up books, newspapers and magazines and you’ll find many articles on this subject. Treason is not committed by someone describing a situation but by those who derail democracy or work against the interests of the state ;)
Sher Afgan is both cheap and stupid. Just like we have Arbab in Sindh giving stupid remarks about judiciary, we have Sher Afgan in Islamabad. Both, in Pir Pigara