Struggle, Sacrifice, and Statesmanship: Honoring Jinnah and His Companions on Pakistan’s Independence Day 2025 -

Struggle, Sacrifice, and Statesmanship: Honoring Jinnah and His Companions on Pakistan’s Independence Day 2025

By Muhammad Shahjahan

As Pakistan marks its 78th Independence Day on 14 August 2025, the nation reflects on a legacy built on vision, resilience, and unwavering determination. The creation of Pakistan was neither an accident nor a mere political negotiation—it was the result of an extraordinary struggle led by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, supported by intellectuals, poets, scholars, and political allies such as Allama Iqbal, Liaquat Ali Khan, Fatima Jinnah, Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar, and many others. Their combined contributions transformed a fragmented dream into a sovereign reality.

This article delves into the leadership qualities and enduring sacrifices of Muhammad Ali Jinnah and his companions in securing an independent homeland for the Muslims of the Indian subcontinent, while reflecting on the continued relevance of their vision in today’s Pakistan.

Muhammad Ali Jinnah: The Architect of Pakistan

Muhammad Ali Jinnah, known affectionately as Quaid-e-Azam (“Great Leader”), stands as the central figure in Pakistan’s creation. Born on December 25, 1876, Jinnah was a barrister trained in London and a successful lawyer in Bombay. Initially a supporter of Hindu-Muslim unity and a member of the Indian National Congress, Jinnah gradually grew disillusioned with Congress’s increasing disregard for Muslim interests, especially under the leadership of Gandhi and Nehru.

Leadership Qualities That Defined the Nation

Unshakable Principles:
Jinnah’s politics were rooted in law, order, and constitutionalism. He believed in negotiations, legal processes, and democratic dialogue over violence or coercion.
Unmatched Oratory and Diplomacy:
As an articulate speaker and negotiator, Jinnah knew how to balance emotion with reason. Whether at the Round Table Conferences in London or in legislative debates, his words carried both gravitas and clarity.
Strategic Vision:
Jinnah understood that the socio-political landscape of India post-British rule would not safeguard Muslim identity and rights without constitutional guarantees. His famous 14 Points (1929) became a rallying cry for Muslim political demands.
Inclusivity and Modernism:
Contrary to the caricature of a communal leader, Jinnah envisioned Pakistan as a modern, secular democratic state, where all citizens—regardless of religion or ethnicity—could live with dignity. This was made clear in his landmark August 11, 1947 speech, where he emphasized religious freedom and minority rights.

The Lahore Resolution and the Road to Independence

The turning point in the Pakistan Movement came with the Lahore Resolution passed on March 23, 1940, under Jinnah’s leadership. It demanded autonomous states for Muslims in northwestern and eastern India. Though initially vague, the Resolution laid the groundwork for the demand for Pakistan.

Between 1940 and 1947, Jinnah navigated through complex negotiations, hostile press, and deep political opposition from both the Indian National Congress and the British Raj. Despite being gravely ill, he led the All India Muslim League through the 1946 elections, where it won overwhelming support in Muslim-majority areas, proving that the League—and not Congress—represented Muslim India.

On 14 August 1947, Pakistan emerged as a new nation, carved out of the subcontinent amidst turmoil, partition violence, and the displacement of millions. It was a moment of triumph, but also of deep sorrow.

Allama Iqbal: The Spiritual Father of Pakistan

Where Jinnah provided political leadership, Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal infused the Pakistan Movement with philosophical depth and ideological clarity. A philosopher-poet and thinker, Iqbal’s vision of a separate Muslim homeland in his famous 1930 Allahabad Address provided the intellectual spark for the Pakistan idea.

Key Contributions of Iqbal

Vision of Muslim Identity:
Iqbal rejected the idea that Muslims were simply a religious minority. For him, they were a separate nation, with a unique culture, history, and spiritual ethos.
Spiritual Revival and Political Realism:
Iqbal’s poetry and prose emphasized both inner renewal and collective action. He envisioned a Muslim society based on justice, equality, and moral leadership, influenced by Islamic teachings.
Inspiration to Jinnah:
Though Iqbal passed away in 1938, his letters to Jinnah urged the Quaid to return to active politics and lead the Muslims. Jinnah himself acknowledged Iqbal’s role, calling him the “dreamer of Pakistan.”

Liaquat Ali Khan: Loyal Lieutenant of the Quaid

Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, was a trusted companion of Jinnah. An Oxford-educated nobleman, Liaquat played a critical role in organizing the All India Muslim League and in the legislative battles leading up to partition.

He served as a bridge between the Quaid and the grassroots.
Liaquat was instrumental in managing economic and administrative challenges immediately after independence.
His role in shaping Pakistan’s first budget and foreign policy (especially aligning with the West during the early Cold War years) laid the foundation for the country’s early governance.

Fatima Jinnah: The Nation’s Moral Compass

Often called the “Mother of the Nation”, Fatima Jinnah stood by her brother through the most difficult years of the struggle. A dentist by profession, she dedicated her life to political activism after 1937.

She supported Jinnah emotionally and politically, especially as his health declined.
Fatima Jinnah later emerged as a powerful opposition voice against military rule, running for president in 1965 against General Ayub Khan.

Her courage and moral authority inspired women across Pakistan to engage in public life.

Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar and Others: Voices of Resistance

The role of religious scholars, activists, and journalists was equally significant:

Maulana Muhammad Ali Johar, an eloquent orator and editor of The Comrade, passionately advocated for Muslim rights and pan-Islamism. He addressed the Round Table Conferences, where he famously said: “If you give me no homeland, I shall be buried in a foreign land.” He died in London in 1931, never returning to undivided India.
Chaudhry Rehmat Ali, though a more controversial figure, coined the name “Pakistan” in a 1933 pamphlet titled Now or Never, highlighting Muslim aspirations.
Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, though predating the formal movement for Pakistan, laid the educational and political foundations that would later empower Muslim leadership in British India.

Challenges After Independence: The Incomplete Dream

While the creation of Pakistan was a monumental achievement, the post-independence years presented unprecedented challenges:

Partition violence claimed nearly a million lives and displaced millions.
Kashmir, an unresolved dispute, immediately triggered war with India.
The new state had no established bureaucracy, military infrastructure, or capital city ready to govern a fragmented and wounded population.

Despite these trials, Jinnah remained composed. His vision of a united and inclusive Pakistan, grounded in justice and equality, remained unwavering till his passing in September 1948.

Relevance in 2025: Lessons from the Founders

As Pakistan celebrates its 78th Independence Day in 2025, the vision of Jinnah and his companions remains more relevant than ever. The nation faces complex internal and external challenges—political instability, economic crises, social divisions, and global realignments. In such times, the foundational principles of:

Unity, Faith, Discipline (Jinnah’s famous motto)
Justice and equality
Religious freedom and minority protection
Democratic governance and the rule of law

must guide the country forward.

Pakistan today is not the Pakistan of 1947. It has nuclear power, a vibrant youth population, a growing tech sector, and strategic geopolitical importance. But the ideals of the founders must translate into concrete policies—in education, healthcare, human rights, and governance.

Conclusion: Saluting the Legacy

On this 14th August 2025, Pakistanis at home and abroad must not only celebrate with flags and fireworks but also renew their commitment to the dream of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, and their companions. Their leadership was not merely about creating borders—it was about establishing a just, free, and progressive society.

Let this day serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made, the struggles endured, and the ideals envisioned—ideals that still light the path toward a stronger and more united Pakistan.