Tribesmen support for Pakistan impresses Quaid-e-Azam
PESHAWAR (APP): Father-of-the Nation Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah has an immense love for people of Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) for their strong loyalty, supreme sacrifices and determined support during his mission for Pakistan.
“Quaid e Azam had an immense love for tribal people of erstwhile FATA and considered them a frontline force during the Pakistan Movement,” said Professor Dr, Ejaz Khan, former Chairman International Relations Department, University of Peshawar while talking to APP.
The Quaid’s love for people of KP and tribesmen of erstwhile Fata could be judged for the fact that he had visited KP and ex FATA in 1936, 1945 and 1948 and commended the strong commitment, support and loyalty of tribal people for their country.
Despite hectic official engagements as Governor General of Pakistan, Quaid e Azam visited Peshawar and addressed a Grand Tribal Jira on April 17, 1948 at Government House Peshawar.
The great Quaid praised the commitment and support of tribal people in completion of his mission for Pakistan.
During his address to tribal jirga with overwhelming representation of tribal people, chieftain and maliks from all ex- tribal agencies and frontier regions, Quaid e Azam laid great emphasis on education and social economic development of tribal people.
“The great Quaid highly admired the patriotism, customs and traditions of tribesmen besides their deep love for Islam and Pakistan,” he explained. The tribal people had decorated their houses and markets of banners and national flags to welcome their beloved leader.
Commending the strong support and loyalty of tribal people for their country, he emphasized on tribesmen to equip themselves with ornament of education in order to compete with national and international fronts.
In 1948, the great Quaid visited historic Islamia College Peshawar where he addressed the students of KP and ex FATA in these words. “I am indeed very happy to be present here today and to have the privilege of addressing the students of this great Darul Uloom, who are the future builders of Pakistan.”
He reminded the students that now we had achieved the national goal of Pakistan and it is our collective responsibility to work hard in our respective professions with high-level of dedication, commitment and sincerity to make it one of the greatest state of the world.
He advised students to develop a sound sense of discipline, character, initiative and a solid academic background and devote wholeheartedly towards studies. “Now we have our own government, therefore, we must be constructive in criticism and students can make a big contribution towards promotion of harmony, unity and development of Pakistan.”
Quaid e Azam further said, “Remember your Government is like your own garden. Your garden flourishes by the way you look after it and the efforts that you put towards its improvement. Similarly, your Government can only flourish by your patriotic, honest and constructive efforts to improve it.”
On students’ demands, he said that establishment of a quality university in Peshawar was very nearer to his heart, which would be great centre of culture and learning from where the rays of knowledge and culture can spread throughout the country, Middle East and Central Asia and soon people of this province would get a university here.
Following a gap of one year, the Government of Pakistan, had established a state of the art University of Peshawar near Islamia College Peshawar.
The great Quaid considered quality education, especially technical education and science and technology as prerequisites for attaining goals of development and economic prosperity that could only be achieved through educated workforce.
He also laid great emphasis on the socio-economic development of tribesmen imperative for progress and prosperity of tribal people.
Quaid Azam had also visited historic Khyber Pass and Landi Kotal Khyber district and met with tribal elders and Maliks there.
He told tribesmen that Pakistan had been created and now great responsibility rests on them to work tirelessly for its progress and strengthening.
Many gifts including goat, rifle, turban, cap etc were presented to the legendary leader by the tribal maliks and chieftains on this occasion.
Dr Ejaz Khan said Quaid e Azam had foreseen that problems of tribal people could only be addressed by equipping tribal students with ornament of education and today after the passing of 77 years of Pakistan, we have now realized the importance of education for ex FATA people.
