62 years today

Most of what Mohammad Ali Jinnah said when he was alive is almost everything we did not pay any heed to as a nation since. On the ocassion of Pakistan's independence day, I would like to share some of my favourite quotes from the man who founded Pakistan in the vision of a separate, glorious, respected nation for the muslims of the sub-continent, or the India everyone knew before 14 Aug, 1947.

'My message to you all is of hope, courage and confidence. Let us mobilize all our resources in a systematic and organized way and tackle the grave issues that confront us with grim determination and discipline worthy of a great nation.'
- Eid-ul-Azha Message to the Nation October 24, 1947.

'The constitution of Pakistan has yet to be framed by the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. I do not know what the ultimate shape of this constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principle of Islam. Today, they are as applicable in actual life as they were 1,300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of man, justice and fairplay to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions and are fully alive to our responsibilities and obligations as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan. In any case Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims --Hindus, Christians, and Parsis --but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.'
- Broadcast talk to the people of the United States of America on Pakistan recorded February, 1948.

'I have always maintained that no nation can ever be worthy of its existence that cannot take its women along with the men. No struggle can ever succeed without women participating side by side with men. There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that of the women.'
- Speech at Islamia College for women March 25, 1940.

'We are now all Pakistanis--not Baluchis, Pathans, Sindhis, Bengalis, Punjabis and so on--and as Pakistanis we must feet behave and act, and we should be proud to be known as Pakistanis and nothing else.'
- Reply to the Civic Address presented by the Quetta Municipality on 15th June, 1948.

'You are free; you are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste or creed --that has nothing to do with the business of the State.'
- Presidential Address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on 11th August, 1947.