M. Arshad Munir

Saudi Gazette

Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan, was no doubt one of the most charismatic leaders in the recent history, to be there at the right moment when Muslims of the undivided India were facing challenges. Under the leadership of Jinnah, Muslims of sub-continent got independence and created a sovereign state Pakistan without a shot being fired, which has no parallel in the chronicles of history.

Otto von Bismarck, the famous German Chancellor, said: “Man cannot create the current of events. He can only float with it and steer.” Jinnah’s statecraft fulfills this test by skilfully and successfully steering the adverse current of events during 1946 and bringing the tattered Muslim ship, safe and sound ashore within a year.

Jinnah’s attraction toward the world of politics started from his early days in London. He was very impressed by Dadabhai, a Parsi of Bombay. Upon returning to India, Jinnah entered the world of politics as a Liberal nationalist and joined the Congress. The 20th annual session of the Congress in December 1904, was the first attended by Jinnah in Bombay.

There is no denying that initially Quaid-e-Azam was ambassador of Hindu-Muslim unity, and in the presence of foreign domination he did not wish to aggravate the contradictions between the Muslims and the Hindus. He stood for the rights of the Muslims even when he was member of the Congress. In 1916, Lacknow Pact was the result of his efforts whereby Congress accepted the rights of the Muslims for separate constituencies, and it was willing to give constitutional guarantees to them.

Quaid-e-Azam was a man of principles who set very high standards and values in politics. He never compromised on principles. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s statesmanship lay in his two traits; Firstly his rational approach towards politics, and secondly his keen knowledge of objective ground realities, however awkward or complex, and he made the right choice at the right moment. His statesmanship is evident form the fact that he considered each and every proposal whether coming from the British or the Congress, in form of Lucknow Pact, Roundtable Conference or Cabinet Mission, and weighed them to use an opportunity for securing the rights of the Muslims.

US historian Stanley Wolpert wrote in his book “Jinnah of Pakistan”: “Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Muhammad Ali Jinnah did all three”.