Rethinking the crux of Pakistan Day.

Byline: UROOJ

We celebrate Pakistan Day on 23rd March every year with full zeal and enthusiasm in memory of resolution presented by A. K. Fazl-e-Haq in 1940 at Lahore. Although the resolution comprises of only few pages but represents true guideline and recipe of a prosperous country and nation. It states that, minorities (Muslims) must be protected not only physically but also in performing their religious, cultural, socio-economic activities. This is the statement that void the slogan of rule of majority and haggard protection of human rights and tolerance to accept minorities.

Quaid-e-Azam, second the resolution by adding that, we are ambitious for a state where people are free to develop themselves with full independence culturally, religiously, politically and economically but unfortunately, we are failed to develop such welfare state which our Quaid is dreaming for. The resolution is an attempt to heal the wounds of discrimination, gender bias and social injustice and come up with a hope to achieve equality, peace, tolerance, acceptance and undistributed ownership of state but still we are struggling to improve our rating in global gender parity index where Pakistan stands at 153 out of 156 nations (Global Gender Gap Report 2021) while our Quaid believe in women empowerment as he believes that, women can do a great deal in every domain of life. In addition, national unity and strength which was envisioned in the Lahore Resolution are also missing in present day Pakistan, where intolerance, violence, and tribal strife have become a new normal.

Furthermore, the handicapped economy is paling the crux of Pakistan Day celebrations. Currency crisis, trade situation, worse BoP, declines forex reserves has been burking the economic activities of our country so, there is a dire need to revive the essence of resolution which believes in economic rights of all and stresses the fulfilment of basic needs attainment like minimum and reasonable wage, job opportunities, access to the market, and decent working conditions. However, these rights can only be enjoyed by the elites. Workforce and labourers have no voice in the economic sphere. Similarly, unemployment is increasing day by day. The huge bulk of undergraduate students are out of the job market, hence creating an inactive youth bulge. The culture of tax evasion in Pakistan provides room for elites to monopolize the markets and enslave the working class widens class inequality. Increasing...