Salahuddin Haider
PAKISTAN Day this year on March 23 (today) will be celebrated with renewed zeal and fervour, with military parade to be held on March 25, display of its men and machine strength, and determined to rediscover itself in the world of sports as well, a field of which it was proud for nearly four decades and with a mission to boost its economy, enhanced investment, greater production in engineering, services sectors, and in related fields.
The Pakistanis are a brave and courageous nation, undaunted by odds, howsoever loaded or heavy, knows to fight back, a quality that makes it great. Ups and downs are part of life.
Nations weak or strong face the dilemma at some stage of their existence, but those overcoming reversals set example for others to emulate.
Such is the story of Pakistan, founded in 1947 as a divine gift from God Almighty, in which tireless efforts by Quaide Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah had a heroic role.
It too had its problems, but never surrendered and always came back to play its role in the comity of nations.
If 60s was the era of progress and prosperity, industrialization, sustained growth, the 70s and 90s distortions in economy because of socialist thinking, corporate sector, an example in the region, suffered immeasurably because of nationalization of industrial units, banking and life insurance sectors, but then recoveries, though, was nevertheless achieved to whatever degree it was manageable.
The 20 year long period, also saw tremendous boom in sports, especially in cricket, hockey, and squash, thanks largely to late Air Marshal Nur Khan, who imbibed in players a spirit to fight back, and in 1992 we won the cricket world, in squash we ruled for a long, long time, Hashim Khan, Roshan Khan, and Jehangir Khan, Aftab Ahmad, could easily be compared with tennis stars like Sweden” Bjon Borg, JohnMcenroe, won three Olympic titles and four hockey world cups over a period time.
Covid-19 emerging as a monster, did devoured over 13,000 lives, halted or atleast slowed down progress in vital fields of national segment, but civilian-military cooperation, and the will of the people to pursue the powerful motto—One Nation, One destination—given by the Father of the Nation, Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
The resilient Pakistani nation contributed massively in combating war against terrorism; has borne loss of over 70,000 precious lives and approximately $120 billion in economy.
The glorious period of Pakistan cricket, waxed, waned and eclipsed with the advent of century, having been adversely affected by foreign teams refusing to play due to terrorism.
It must be noted that Cricket remains one of the most critical element in re-invigorating nationalism (an aspect which is threatened by 5th generation warfare launched against Pakistan).
Despite being singled out by cricketing world, Pakistan kept her cricket alive by using neutral venues which proved a successful strategy to stay relevant in the game.
Pakistan’s recent victory against visiting South African team is an exemplary achievement after many years and will have a positive impact for future.
Hockey and Squash in which we won innumerable laurels, have fallen victim to neglect, incomptence and lethargy.
There is now a need to revive the old fighting spirit to occupy the prestigious place once we held.
Pakistan prime minister Imran Khan, himself a cricket hero, an icon of international cricket, has conceived the new basic structure of the game in country, his strategy taking roots well. Hopefully the same concept shall be applied to other sports also.
Pakistan’s military, or call it law enforcing agencies, successfully defeated foreign sponsored terrorism in Pakistan, this unprecedented victory created / re-transformed an environment and international sports, cricket started in Pakistan after 15 years.
Hopefully, the Pakistan Day this year, will inject a new spirit in a nation, determined to find its mooring.
We, as Pakistanis, should re-dedicate outselves to the causes championed by Quaid-e-Azam. Only then call it really be called Pakistan day.
