72 years ago, today, the Muslims of British India, under the inspiring leadership of Quaid-i-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, gathered in Minto Park, Lahore and passed a historic resolution that called for greater Muslim autonomy in British India. This Resolution, which changed the course of history, laid the foundations of an independent homeland for the Muslims of India where the principles of social justice and equity could prevail and where they could live as free citizens in peace – in accordance with their religious beliefs, civilization identity and cultural values. Today, as we celebrate Pakistan Day, we need to introspect on how far we have gone towards achieving the goals set out by our forefathers and for which they had rendered immense sacrifices. Quaid-i-Azam and our founding fathers had envisaged a democratic and pluralistic state where constitutionalism and rule of law would reign supreme and where minorities will have equal rights as citizens. While we are on the path of achieving these goals, there is still much that needs to be done to ensure that Pakistan remains on the path of progress, democracy and rule of law. The vibrant, dynamic and patriotic Pakistan-American community of the West Coast can do much in helping its brethren in Pakistan to this end. As Pakistan-Americans there is a need to come together and speak with one voice to the mainstream Americans, in conveying the essential message of this auspicious Day. It is a time to unite and inculcate a spirit of tolerance, mutual accommodation, harmony and respect for dissent, which is the essence of democracy, and work towards making Pakistan a liberal, democratic and progressive society. It is a time to reach out to the mainstream American society by integrating and speaking out about the need for the two communities to work towards realizing the dreams and objectives of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, for a Pakistan that would be free from the forces of obscurantism, terrorism and extremism. I congratulate the Pakistan-American community on this auspicious day.
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