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    The Political Party that Made it Happen

    Written by: Dr. Dushka H. Saiyid
    Posted on: March 22, 2014 | | 中文

    (l-r) Dr. Ilhan Niaz, Senator Mushahid Hussain, Dr. Rafiq Afzal and Dr. Dushka H. Saiyid

    The political party that made it happen, which carved out a homeland for the Muslims of the Subcontinent, the All India Muslim League (AIML), finally received a thorough, comprehensive treatment from Professor Rafique Afzal in his magnum opus, “All India Muslim League, 1906 -1947”.

    Youlin Magazine launched the first of its series of round table discussions on March 6, befittingly with a book on the political party responsible for the creation of Pakistan. Dr Ilhan Niaz led the discussion with a presentation of twenty minutes. The Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, Senator Mushahid Hussain, made a few comments about the role of the Muslim League in providing leadership to the Muslims of the Indian sub-continent, and the pan-Islamic vision of the Quaid and his superb organizational skills that made AIML into a mass political organization.

    Professor Ilhan Niaz characterized the book as a definitive work on the Muslim League, with meticulous and detailed research on the organization, policies and the rise of the Muslim League to a mass political party. The transition of the Muslim League from an elite party of rich Muslims, where the membership fee was Rs. 500 per member, to a mass party that won all the seats in the centre, and nearly all the Muslim seats in the provinces in the elections of 1945-6, has been well documented  in the book by Professor Rafique.

    The Political Party that Made it Happen

     The internal strife and leg pulling of the League at the provincial level, which Ilhan aptly called “internecine warfare”, has received much attention in the book. Jinnah’s organizational skills, however, with his constant well-timed mediation and tight control over its finances, made the League a force majeure as the time for independence approached. During the discussion various aspects pertaining to the current state of History as a discipline, were brought to the fore. Treating history objectively, by chronologically corroborating the events with original sources, has become a dying art. “History is a craft, and Professor Rafique, with his treatment of the subject, has once again demonstrated the fact”, said Dr. Saeed-ud-din Dar, a participant of the discussion.

    Historians also mentioned certain fictional accounts associated with Jinnah, where several statements were wrongly attributed to him. The pan-Islamic tendency of the Quaid was also discussed, with special reference to his opposition to the creation of Israel in the Palestinian lands. Dr. Dushka Saiyid’s intervention was about Jinnah’s inclusive concept of the Muslim League and Pakistan, and how he resisted all pressure from the Majlis-i-Ahrar to expel Chaudury Zafarullah from its ranks because of his Ahmadi beliefs.

    While much debate happens on the ideological moorings of Jinnah and the League, it is refreshing to witness the historians coming together to celebrate a work, which as the consensus held, is a thoroughly researched work, answering many of those unexplored ambiguities on which pseudo intellectuals thrive.

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    As the new year begins, let us also start anew. I’m delighted to extend, on behalf of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and in my own name, new year’s greeting and sincere wishes to YOULIN magazine’s staff and readers.

    Only in hard times can courage and perseverance be manifested. Only with courage can we live to the fullest. 2020 was an extraordinary year. Confronted by the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Pakistan supported each other and took on the challenge in solidarity. The ironclad China-Pakistan friendship grew stronger as time went by. The China Pakistan Economic Corridor projects advanced steadily in difficult times, become a standard-bearer project of the Belt and Road Initiative in balancing pandemic prevention and project achievement. The handling capacity of the Gwadar Port has continued to rise and Afghanistan transit trade through the port has officially been launched. The Karakoram Highway Phase II upgrade project is fully open to traffic. The Lahore Orange Line project has been put into operation. The construction of Matiari-Lahore HVDC project was fully completed. A batch of green and clean energy projects, such as the Kohala and Azad Pattan hydropower plants have been substantially promoted. Development agreement for the Rashakai SEZ has been signed. The China-Pakistan Community of Shared Future has become closer and closer.

    Reviewing the past and looking to the future, we are confident to write a brilliant new chapter. The year 2021 is the 100th birthday of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan. The 100-year journey of CPC surges forward with great momentum and China-Pakistan relationship has flourished in the past 70 years. Standing at a new historic point, China is willing to work together with Pakistan to further implement the consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, connect the CPEC cooperation with the vision of the “Naya Pakistan”, promote the long-term development of the China-Pakistan All-weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership with love, dedication and commitment. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan said, “We are going through fire. The sunshine has yet to come.” Yes, Pakistan’s best days are ahead, China will stand with Pakistan firmly all the way.

    YOULIN magazine is dedicated to promoting cultural exchanges between China and Pakistan and is a window for Pakistani friends to learn about China, especially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is hoped that with the joint efforts of China and Pakistan, YOULIN can listen more to the voices of readers in China and Pakistan, better play its role as a bridge to promote more effectively people-to-people bond.

    Last but not least, I would like to wish all the staff and readers of YOULIN a warm and prosper year in 2021.

    Nong Rong Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of
    The People’s Republic of China to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
    January 2021