Different politico-social analysts of the world opine in different manner about the division of India. Some relates it to the failure of All India Congress, some narrate it as adventurism of Mr Jinnah and indeed some of them think that the British were found wanting in this regard. At the time of independence, whatever came to Pakistan in terms of resources to run the country was less than meagre. The only thing in abundance was more than six million refugees. It was the worlds largest migration ever recorded. The question arises how and why a depleted Pakistan is still living and is able to safeguard its integrity as a nation. The answer lies in the history of Pakistan.
The creation of Pakistan has been done through ages, even well before the existence of Pakistans Islamic ideology. Presence of two great cities Mohenjo Daro and Harrappa, along the great river Indus, more than 5000 years ago bears the testimony of existence of civilization since then. It was the Bronze Age civilization which became the first step towards creation of a nation.
The Gandhara civilisation of this period meets the Indus Valley civilisation with open arms at the Grand Trunk Road at Hassan Abdal. This was yet another development towards the creation of one nation.
The Arabs during early seventh century established the city of Mansura and Debal. These two cities became major cultural and economic centres in Sindh. Mansura produced the first translation of the Quran in the Sindhi language; it was used widely throughout the Indus region.
The city was the hometown of famous historical figures. This was the first ever amalgamation of Islamic thoughts and values to these ancient civilisations, and from here the concept of interfaith harmony in Islamic perspective got its roots cemented within their culture.
In most of the recorded history, there are always civilisations which turn into nations. Nations without ideologies in front and civilisations at their back, merely breathe on this planet. By any stretch of imagination, Pakistan cannot be included in the above mentioned category.
We as Pakistanis have a long history and traditional values in our rich culture, which we are carrying since centuries. We were a developed state even before the ancient Egypt and Peru civilisations. All that is required from us is to train and tame the younger generation for their better future as Pakistanis.
JAWAD RAZA KHAN
Karachi
