Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah who laid the foundation of Pakistan, was born at Karachi on 25th December, 1876. As a young boy, he was educated at Karachi. When, he was sixteen years old, he passed his matriculation examination and was sent to England for higher studies. On his return to India he started his practice, as a lawyer first in Karachi, and then in Bombay. Hw showed, great efficiency in his work. It was his determination ans wise leadership, which freed the Muslims from the double yoke of British rule and Hindu domination.
In appreciation of his services to the Muslims of South Asia we call him "Quaid-e-Azam", or the "Great Leader". He loved his country and his country-men dearly. He joined the Indian National Congress but soon left it and joined, the Muslim League, to champion, the cause of Muslims. Then, he started a long and hard campaign to get a separate homeland for the Muslims. It was in 1947 that he succeeded and became the first Governor General of the newly-created State. He worked day and night for the progress and improvement of Pakistan. It was unfortunate indeed that only twelve months after the creation of Pakistan, the Quaid-e-Azam died on 11th September 1948.
He will always be remembered, as the founder of Pakistan. Although he left us after such a short time, his speeches are there to guide us. If we follow the directions given in them, we will be able to serve our dear Pakistan in the best way. The Quaid-e-Azam firmly believed, that one day the Muslims would achieve their desired goal. Three years before the creation of Pakistan, on 8th March 1944, speaking at a lunch given by Dr. Ziauddin Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh University, he said, "You can get Pakistan not by asking, not by begging, not even by mere prayers but by working with trust in God. Insha-Allah Pakistan will be yours"
To him all Pakistanis were equal. He believed that religion or caste do not separate one Pakistani from another. Soon after, he became the Governor General of his newly created State, he told the happy people, "You are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste ... we are all citizens and equal citizens of the State."
The Quaid-e-Azam, again and again, told his people that what they needed most was a good education. Speaking at the fourth session of the Gujrat Educational Conference held on 14th January 1945, he said that education was a matter of life and death to our nation. "The world is moving so fast that if we do not educate ourselves we will not only be left behind but also will be no more."
For him education and character-building went hand in hand. In his message, to the All Pakistan Educational Conference held in Karachi on 27th November 1947, he said, " Education does not merely mean academic education and even that of a very poor type. What we have to do s to mobilize our people and buildup the character of the future generations."
Several times, the Quaid-e-Azam reminded his people that Pakistan can only prosper and grow stronger if the people served it with honest and selfless devotion. On 14th August 1948, at the First Annual Celebration of Pakistan he said, "Establishment of Pakistan is a fact to which there is no parallel in the history of the world. It is destined to play a magnificent part year after year, as we go on, provided we serve honestly , earnestly and selflessly."
