Pakistan
Independence
Notes for the Hon. David
Kilgour, M.P. Edmonton Southeast
for remarks delivered at
functions hosted by the
Pakistan Canada Association
of Edmonton, Alberta in
celebration of Pakistan’s
52nd year of independence,
August 14, 1999, Provincial
Museum, Edmonton and at
a function hosted by the
Pakistan Canadian Society
of Alberta-Edmonton at Calvary
Community Church, Mill Woods
As-Salaam Alai Kum
("May peace be upon
you").
It is an honour to be here
with you tonight, and to
bring greetings from our
national government.
Edmonton is fortunate to
have the thriving Pakistani
community that makes this
celebration possible. The
many contributions of the
Pakistan Canada Association
of Edmonton, from its girl-guide
program to the Urdu and
Punjabi translation services
it provides, have added
immensely to the richness
and variety of life in this
city. This community should
be proud of the great steps
taken towards preserving
and promoting Pakistani
culture here in Edmonton
and across Canada.
Muhammad
Ali Jinnah
As Sabreena said a few
moments ago, the idea of
an independent and progressive
Pakistan has always been
linked to the man who led
the nationals in their long
journey towards sovereignty:
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the
Quaid-I-Azam ("Great
Leader") of early Pakistan.
He was someone who embodied
the best aspects of modern
political life, while remaining
conscious of his cultural
identity. In this sense,
I see Independence Day,
the celebration of Pakistan’s
inception, as a celebration
of the ideals which inspired
him.
A student of both parliamentary
democracy and liberal political
theory, Governor General
Jinnah worked unceasingly
for co-operation, political
reform, and independence.
Despite the tensions that
existed between various
regions, factions, and sects,
Jinnah was a firm believer
in unity and constitutional
methods for the achievement
of political ends. He worked
to bring diverse peoples
together peacefully in order
to attain independence for
the Indian sub-continent.
Muslim
Minority
Struggling to win a voice
for the Muslim minority
within a parliamentary system,
Jinnah was also crucial
in sowing the seeds of Pakistan’s
present democracy. He advocated
the equality of all people.
His devotion to freedom
helped draw together Muslims
under the banner of self-rule.
It was this positive nationalism,
the spirit of community-building
and co-operation towards
peace, freedom, and prosperity,
that led to the creation
of the state of Pakistan.
Despite setbacks and hard
times, Pakistanis have remained
true to Jinnah’s vision,
continuing to work towards
the democratic ideals of
freedom and equality within
a strong national identity.
Jinnah’s efforts thrive
today in Edmonton’s
community, cultivating a
healthy pride in Pakistani-Canadians’
distinct identity and fostering
new achievements. The recent
opening of the P.C.A.E.
community centre is one
tangible demonstration.
Pakistani culture has not
only borne fruit at home,
but also abroad. It is a
testament to the universal
applicability of Jinnah’s
ideals, evidence that the
positive effects of community,
co-operation, and principle
are not limited by geography
or place.
The same beliefs that transformed
Pakistan from a colony to
a prominent democracy on
the world stage have enriched
Canadian life, not only
by creating a vibrant and
active Pakistani community,
but also by promoting an
egalitarian, democratic
society in which the community
can thrive. All of the basic
principles behind Jinnah’s
nationalism - harmony, equality,
and the right to self-determination
- apply equally to Pakistan
and Canada.
Canada/Pakistan
They are the same basic
ideals that drive the Canadian
political system: maintaining
the stability of a country
whose population is drawn
from across the globe, while
allowing separate identities
to develop their own place
in our rich cultural mosaic.
It is important to recognize
that instead of being opposed,
our common roots allow positive
Canadian and Pakistani nationalism
to complement one another.
The spirit of co-operation,
distinct identity, and pride
in the achievements that
we all make enriches the
life of the community, the
nation, and the planet.
Pakistan’s Independence
Day is thus to me a celebration
not only of Pakistan’s
birthday, but also of the
principles underlying its
struggle for independence.
It is a celebration of values
universal to humanity -
rather than exclusive to
any one nation, people,
or religion- that bring
all of us closer together.
Even while it promotes
the richness of Pakistan’s
culture, it also invigorates
Canada’s, bringing
out new features in the
mosaic. In emphasizing cultural
diversity, it affirms freedom,
peace, and individuality,
the basic tenets of our
shared society. This is
a celebration of both universal
principle and Pakistani
identity.
Jashenay Aazaadi Mubarank.
Allah Hafiz. ("Happy
Independence Day. God keep
you under his protection.")
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