Wajeeha Bilal
Throughout history, philosophers have debated over the reality of this world.
Some have stated that the only things that are real are the ones that we can
see, or touch and thus, sensory recognition is the only reality, while others
have suggested that nothing is real, everything is a form of deception. Sooner
or later, we all accept that every concept like space, time and energy are
created by us to define the actions of the things that exist around us.
The great philosopher Plato stated that the concept is important to understand
an idea and ideas are the eventual realities. What is the ultimate reality of
the world? Rene Descartes, a French philosopher, believed that ideas are the
concepts in his philosophy that containedimpartial reality in theirnature.
Ideas exist prior to things and are independent of them. Ideas are unity in
multiplicity that act as the initial point of knowledge. When ideas are set to
be formed, then all they require to come in full existence is the exercise of
will and work by those who plan to enforce its existence. Ideas are the
realities of the world and this world is a mere reflection of ideas. People and
things of the world participate in ideas once they have laid the conceptual
image of it. Ideas are forceful in existence to the extent they have been put
forth by their creators.
An idea is always that it leads to the ultimate truth. A group of men determined
to create a separate homeland for their people came up with the idea that was
based on the Two-Nation Theory. Quaid-i-AzamMohammad Ali Jinnah who was joined
by the leaders of All India Muslim League addressed the gathering on a fresh
spring day in 1940, at Minto Park near BadshahiMosque. Acknowledging the idea
and laying down the foundation of this idea through a demand for Pakistan, the
Lahore Resolution was supported by all major Muslim leaders of the time.
Ideas have the power to change the course of history and those that are raised
with strong voices have the power to change the world maps and still those that
are strengthened by the sacrifices of its people have the courage to rise as
independent states. Strong empires have been broken due to the lack of belief
yet small ideas have lived on to stand on the map as independent nations because
they were believed by strong men of history. An idea survives once it is
believed, and once we accept the idea, we become the means of their
promulgation.
The idea of Lahore Resolution, signed on 23rdMarch, became the basis on which
the endeavour for Pakistan was built. The place where the believers of the
nation once stood, created a platform representing the idea and concept that
Muslims are a separate nation, emphasizing that a nation is distinguished from
the other, based on religionand traditions. The idea for the establishment of a
separate nation faced criticism and resistance from other parties but the
determined political struggle for this idea continued by strong willed people,
which led to the establishment of a separate state.“With faith, discipline and
selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.”
The idea of including Muslim majority states into an identity of unity came to
be implemented, through the turbulence of a bloody partition and the pressures
of mass migration, eventually laying down the first steps of its existence that
experienced great resistance from every side. Pakistan was created as a witness
to the idea of the Two-Nation Theory and exactly 81 years after the Pakistan
Resolution was passed, it still stands bearing witness to that idea.“Pakistan…was
the only just, honourable, and practical solution of the most complex
constitutional problem of this great subcontinent. Let us now plan to build and
reconstruct and regenerate our great nation...”, said the Quaid.
But what comes after birth, achievement and existence? Plato’s follower
Aristotle contradicted the idealized essence of an object, saying that ideas are
posterior, not prior to things. According to him ideas are false beliefs that do
not define the life of this physical world. What decides an object, or a being
is its experience with the passage of time. The essence of an object is not
separate but a part of its identity and existence. Understanding that one’s
identity shines through experience and the life that is lived, paves the way for
a hopeful desire to survive against all odds. These ideas that are developed
through experience shape the fate of entire civilizations, to challenge these is
to challenge the foundation of these civilizations and how their lives are
shaped.
Pakistan achieved independence from colonial rule on 14thAugust 1947. After nine
years of its independence, first constitution was enforced on 23rdMarch 1956.
This day also signifies the endorsement of the country’s first constitution and
its revolution as a democratic state. However, the goals of its idea soon met
with the realities that challenged its existence. The story of Pakistan and its
experience is interwoven with the story of its founders’ struggle against the
resistance towards achieving freedom.The Pakistan Movement is engravednot only
in its foundation but daily struggles as well. Pakistan’s life has been defined
by policies that aim to capture the ideals of an Islamic state. Since its birth,
it has been struggling for prosperity and fighting the wars that challenge its
vision of existence.
Like a strong survivor and warrior, as Pakistan swayed from one crisis to the
next, its image and experience matured into a strong purpose to prove its
identity. Throughout its experience, Pakistan remained an enduring image of an
independent idea. No matter the troubles whether big or small, from within or
outside, our country stands as a true experience of independent ideas. The
beauty of all this is that we all get the chance to play some part to some
extent in defining the idea of our own country.No matter where we go or where we
are, our own existence represents the idea of the country we belong to.
The human imagination and actions can play a tremendous role in laying the
foundations of an idea or holding the idea of existence through an experience.
When we imagine the impossible, philosophies seem useless, and nature is unable
to deal with it. For a country that was impossible to be imagined at one time,
the idea of Pakistan to exist against all odds is an extraordinary story that
deserves to be told. Pakistan’s daily struggles reflect on the repressed
opportunities available to itsgeostrategic position for fighting against
terrorism and uprisings. Pakistan has been there for decades and it is there to
stay.
Whether the ideas have been defined before its creation or the idea of its
existence yet stands to be proven, these ideas are a witness to its existence
that is there to stay. Its existence and survival rests above all other ideas
and limitations, for to deny the idea of its existence would mean a war against
all those who had and still do what they can to stand with Pakistan.“There is no
power on earth that can undo Pakistan.”
(Wajeeha is author of two books)