Professor Stanley Wolpert, distinguished Professor of History at the University of California, Los Angeles, and author of the internationally acclaimed "Jinnah of Pakistan", addressed the students, faculty, staff and guests of Aga Khan University (AKU) on "Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah's vision of Pakistan" as part of the University's Special Lecture Series (SLS) meant to provide students with a broad-based education, and an appreciation for socio-cultural issues. Professor Wolpert is visiting AKU at the University's invitation to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of the Founder of Pakistan.
Speaking to the enthralled audience which comprised, amongst others, government officials, senior beaurocrats, including Chief Justice Ashad, Barrister Shahida Jamil, Federal Minister for Law and Mr. Sharifuddin Pirzada, Senior Counsel, leading academicians, journalists and prominent citizens, Prof. Wolpert expressed the hope that "the young people of Pakistan would come together to take to fruition all the hopes and aspirations that were the integral part of your most precious legacy, the Quaid's vision for Pakistan."
Professor Wolpert began his talk with a brief chronological recounting of the historical events that led to the creation of Pakistan and independent homeland for the "third nation", the Muslims of the subcontinent. With his in-depth and detailed understanding of the subject, he focused his talk mainly on the vision of the Quaid as determined by his incorruptible nature and his deep respect for equality for all. He stressed that the Quaid was governed by the qualities of impartial justice and fair play, which resulted in his secular outlook and made him an advocate for pluralism and the protection of the rights of minorities. He outlined the four "pillars" of Mohammad Ali Jinnah's vision for development, "a well developed educational plan, economic and social upliftment, political training and the protection of the ideology of a Muslim nation."
During the animated question answer session that followed, Professor Wolpert kept the audience involved with his comprehensive insights and ready wit. Responding to a question regarding the path Pakistan has taken in the last 50 years, he ended the session on an inspirational note, saying that "you may have deviated from the Quaid's vision by 180 degrees, but I think many of you are ready today to embrace it. You have the leadership as well. You must take the challenge and carry the torch forward. Only remember, you must do it with earnest faith in impartiality and justice and fair play for all."
Professor Wolpert was welcomed by President of the University, Dr.Shamsh Kassim-Lakha, S.I., who introduced the audience to the Quaid's vision of tolerance and multiculturalism, saying that "Quaid-e-Azam had in mind a model democratic state governed by Islamic principles of tolerance and the rule of law. He saw a country in which people of all faiths, of all creeds and of all classes could live together as brethren."
Quoting His Highness the Aga Khan, Chancellor of AKU, he said "If it is allowed to occur within a constructive environment, pluralism is an enhancement and a strength of society." He further elaborated that although the current psyche of many Pakistanis has not yet changed to reflect the Quaid's vision, "it is heartening to see that from senior leaders in government and business to ordinary people on the street, there is a growing awareness of the risks involved in a narrow outlook." To bridge this gap and fulfill the need to enlighten society on the nature and characteristics of Muslim societies, he announced the establishment of an Institute for the study of Muslim civilizations, based in London, England, which would commence operations from January 2002 and where eminent scholars and academicians would come together with the common goal of "articulating a new understanding of Muslim culture through research, debate and education."
Mr. Sharifuddin Pirzada, chief of the Quaid-e-Azam Year Committee, thanked Professor Wolpert for his illuminating lecture and talked briefly to the audience on democracy in Pakistan. The guests had a chance to interact with Professor Wolpert during tea.
