Human Development Foundation

YesPakistan.com Newsletter
[archive]

YesPakistan Newsletter
A service of HDF (Human Development Foundation)
Helping people help themselves

Assalamo Alaikum and Azadi Mubarak

Today, at the 57th independence day of Pakistan, we remember the struggle of the millions who died or lived through hell to make this claim a reality by creating Pakistan out of nowhere with a unique partnership of a leader who had the vision to see in the future and the people who had faith in that leader and answered his call. And once this task was accomplished Qaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah pronounced these words as a guiding light for the young nation, "Now, if we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous, we should wholly and solely concentrate on the well-being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor."

If the creation of Pakistan was a miracle, its survival for 57 years against all odds is no less of a miracle. Young Pakistan had not a penny in the treasury, no organized defense force, no administrative core, the economy was shattered and to top it all there were millions of refugees to take care of. Pakistan not only survived but forged ahead. In 1971 division of Pakistan and creation of Bangladesh was a blow that struck deep into the heart of every Pakistani. But the reality was accepted and reckoned with. During the first Afghan war once again millions of refugees were driven into Pakistani borders and had to be taken care of. Pakistan with its limited resources somehow managed to do that.

Throughout its brief history there have been forces within and without which have diligently worked to break the spirit of the people of Pakistan but they have failed. There are still millions who have faith in Pakistan, who are willing to die for Pakistan if needed.

Now once again as the world is convulsing in the wake of the tragedy of 9/11, Pakistan is challenged by being thrown at the center stage of this drama, certainly through no choice of its people. Pakistanis have to wisely consider their choices and make decisions.

The guiding light in these difficult times is once again the words of Qaid-e-Azam, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, spoken on August 11, 1947, "If you will work in co-operation, forgetting the past, burying the hatchet, you are bound to succeed. If you change your past and work together in a spirit that everyone of you, no matter no what community he belongs, no matter what relations he had with you in the past, no matter what is his colour, caste or creed, is first, second and last a citizen of this State with equal rights, privileges, and obligations, there will be on end to the progress you will make. I cannot emphasize it too much."

This is the challenge, Ladies and gentlemen. The challenge never was and never will be the lack of resources. The challenge is, are we capable of coming together to think, to plan and to work for a Pakistan that is still a dream for the millions, the dream of a Pakistan that is a beacon of light for the Humanity. It is only through pooling of resource, intellectual and financial and channeling them in a constructive manner that we can make this dream become a reality. In 1947 millions died to make a dream come true, today we don’t have to die but we do have to sacrifice our egos and personal agendas to rise above ethnic, religious, political and other differences to make this dream come true. Are we ready for this challenge? Millions are ready to die for Pakistan but are they ready to live for Pakistan? Our actions not words will write the next chapter in the history of Pakistan.

At HDF we invite you to renew your faith in Pakistan and your pledge to live and work for it. We pledge to make this a grassroots organization, which is responsive to its constituents and representative of their wishes. We have a mission statement, "to start a movement for a positive social change..." We invite you to share your ideas. What do you see as a positive social change, how do you think it can be brought about, and how you can contribute towards this movement. God bless Pakistan and its people.

Tundieye Bade Mukhalif se na ghabra ai uqab
Ye tou chalti he tujhe ooncha uranai ke lieye

In peace

Shahnaz Khan
Khalid Riaz

Chairpersons
HDF

Help a family achieve dignity for just fifty cents a day!
Your tax-deductible donation of just $15 per month will help us provide services for a family of eight. $30 per month supports two families. That’s just a dollar per day to help two families reach for dignity and well-being. Won’t you take a moment to donate now?

HDF is an organization of Pakistani-Americans.

Please forward this newsletter to all who care for Pakistan & America

The mission of HDF shall be to facilitate a non-political movement for a positive social change and community empowerment through mass literacy, enhanced quality of education, universal primary health care and grassroots economic development.