We all know it as part of our history that the Pakistan Resolution previously known as the Lahore Resolution remained a fundamental historical maneuver in the struggle for an independent state. Primarily, the independent and sovereign state, Pakistan, was based on a two-nation theory that the Muslims and Hindus could not live together for a number of reasons.
The Resolution was crafted by Sikandar Hayat Khan and presented by Fazlul Haque on 23 March 1940. The essential ingredients of the Pakistan Resolution were socio-economic justice, freedom, tolerance, and democracy. The Resolution demanded that all Muslim-majority areas of the Sub-Continent should have independence, and this landmark historical imperative led to the creation of Pakistan.
If one closely observes the remarkable struggles that Pakistanis went through successfully for an independent Pakistan, you can only marvel at how far it has come
If one closely observes the remarkable struggles that Pakistanis went through successfully for an independent Pakistan, you can only marvel at how far it has come. At the outset, it did not have much at the time of its independence, in terms of infrastructure or financial support. It was an inglorious approach by the then self-defeating and departing Britishers that Pakistan was left behind as an impoverished state. Pakistan still survived. But it soon realized that it would confront many challenges. The unjust distribution of material resources by the Britishers, the territorial disputes with India over the issue of Kashmir, the task of drafting a credible constitution, overcoming political instability and the border skirmishes and short wars with its arch rival in the subsequent years over the long-standing issue of Kashmir understandably took their toll.
Despite all the challenges ahead for developing a viable new country, Pakistan had to overcome these challenges quickly. With the emergence of a bi-polar world in the midst of the rise of Cold War rivalry between the Soviet Union and the US, Pakistan had to make hard choices for its survival and safeguarding its vital security interests. One of the best options at that difficult time was to be in the US pole. This helped boost Pakistan’s defense and economic imperatives and more particularly, it enhanced Pakistan’s ability as an industrialized nation. In the 1960s, Pakistan started to emerge as one of the leading countries in the region. Other countries from Asia and the Middle East would rush to Pakistan for its assistance, and guidance. Indeed, it is remembered as the golden age for Pakistan.
For its own survival Pakistan had to be with the US for its containment of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan
Nevertheless, the rivalry between India and Pakistan continued to grow as well. Given the sheer size of India, withdrawal from the SEATO and the CENTO for self-reliance, the dismemberment of Bangladesh from Pakistan, and India’s nuclear weapons tests in 1974 seriously undermined the security of Pakistan. For its own survival Pakistan had to be with the US for its containment of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan. The imperatives of the Glenn Amendment for preventing nuclear proliferation in South Asia by the US had to be kept aside for prioritizing the containment of the spread of communism in Afghanistan.
Learning from the harsh realities of history, the Pak-US relations have always been like a roller coaster ride despite Pakistan’s support to the US in a number of situations such as the movements of the SEATO and the CENTO, the US containment of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan, and the 9/11. The US sought Pakistan’s help in toppling the Taliban regime. Since Pakistan borders with Iran and Afghanistan thus it bears both curses and opportunities from its geopolitical and geostrategic location, thus the contemporary competing major powers are eying Pakistan to further their dominance, prestige, and global order.
India has been trying to destabilize Pakistan by exploiting many channels including disgruntled groups vying for power in Balochistan
Other regional players, primarily India, will also try to exploit the situation to its advantage. The current unrest in Balochistan is connected with these issues. There is evidence that India has been trying to destabilize Pakistan by exploiting many channels including disgruntled groups vying for power in Balochistan.
The conceptual essentials of Pakistan Resolution teach and encourage us to undertake bold steps in the fight against threats of terrorism, better management of borders with Iran and Afghanistan, to protect the its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Pakistan is poised to become a seafaring nation because of its unique geographical location. Arabian sea banks at Pakistan’s coast and therefore Pakistan can access the broader Indian Ocean region by protecting its maritime security interests.
Since the Resolution teaches us to develop religious tolerance, work for socio-economic prosperity, promote democratic principles aligned with the international community, maintain good governance, and sustain political stability, therefore, it is to be hoped that as we commemorate the Pakistan Day in 2025, Pakistan will navigate through this complex time successfully.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. They do not represent the views, beliefs, or policies of the Stratheia.
