Quaid-i-Azam’s famous quotes

A democratic and Islamic Constitution for Pakistan

The constitution of Pakistan has yet to be framed by the Pakistan Constituent Assembly. I do not know what the ultimate shape of this constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principles of Islam. Today, they are as applicable in actual life as they were 1,300 years ago. Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of men, justice and fairplay to everybody. We are the inheritors of these glorious traditions … as framers of the future constitution of Pakistan. In any case, Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State—to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims—Hindus, Christians, and Parsis—but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.

Broadcast to the people of USA, February 1948


Advice to students
My young friends, students who are present here, let me tell you as one who has always had love and affection for you, who has served you for 10 years faithfully and loyally, let me give you this word of warning: you will be making the greatest mistake if you allow yourself to be exploited by one political party or another…. Your main occupation should be—in fairness to yourself, in fairness to your parents, in fairness to the State—to devote your attention to your studies.

Address, public meeting, Dacca, March 21, 1948


Constitutionally elected representative government for Pakistan

With the removal of foreign domination, the people are now the final arbiters of their destiny. They have perfect liberty to have by constitutional means any government that they may choose. This cannot, however, mean that any group may now attempt by any unlawful methods to impose its will on the popularly elected government of the day. The government and its policy may be changed by the votes of the elected representatives…

Broadcast, Radio Pakistan, Dacca, March 28, 1948


Corruption a cure

Corruption is a cure in India and amongst Muslims, especially the so-called educated and intelligentsia. Unfortunately, it is this class that is selfish and morally and intellectually corrupt. No doubt this disease is common, but amongst this particular class of Muslims it is rampant.

M.A. Jinnah to Ispahani, May 6, 1945


Dangers of provincialism sectionalism

So what is the use of saying, ‘We are Bengalis, or Sindhis, or Pathans, or Punajbis.’ No, we are Muslims. Islam has taught us this, and I think you will agree with me, that whatever else you may be and whatever you are, you are a Muslim. You belong to a Nation now; you have now carved out a territory, vast territory, it is all yours; it does not belong to a Punjabi or a Sindhi, or a Pathan, or a Bengali; it is yours. …Provincialism has been one of the curses; and so is sectionalism—Shia, Sunni, etc.

It was no concern of our predecessor government; it was no concern of theirs to worry about it; they were here to carry on the administration, maintain law and order, and to carry on their trade and exploit India as much as they could. But now we are in a different position altogether. …Well, there they were. They had many difficulties. But mind you, their nations were actually in existence and they were great nations; whereas you had nothing. You have got Pakistan only now. But there a Frenchman and belong to a great nation,’ and so on. But what happened?...

Now I ask you to get rid of this provincialism, because as long as you allow this position to remain in the body politic of Pakistan, believe me, you will never be a strong nation, and you will never be able to achieve what I wish we could achieve.

Speech, public meeting, Dacca, March 21, 1948


Democracy, equality and liberty—A Muslim belief

Democracy is in the blood of Muslamans, who look upon complete equality of manhood [mankind] … [and] believe in fraternity, equality and liberty.

London, December 14, 1946


Duty of civil servants to the state and citizens

You [civil officers] should have no hand in supporting this political party or that political party, this political leader or that political leader—this is not your business. Whichever government is formed according to the constitution, and whoever happens to be the Prime Minister or Minster coming into power in the ordinary constitutional course, your duty is not only to serve that Government loyally and faithfully, but at the same time, fearlessly maintaining your high reputation.

Informal talk to civil officers, Peshawar, April 14, 1948


Economic independence and prosperity

When we first raised our demand for a sovereign and independent State of Pakistan there were not a few false prophets who tried to deflect us from our set purpose by saying that Pakistan was not economically feasible. They painted an extremely dark picture of the future of our State and its financial and economic soundness. The very first budget presented by you must have caused a shock to those false prophets. It has already demonstrated the soundness of Pakistan’s finances and the determination of its government to make them more and more sound and strong…. I have no doubt in my mind about the bright future that awaits Pakistan when its vast resources of men and material are fully mobilized. The road that we may have to travel may be somewhat uphill at present but with courage and determination we mean to achieve our objective which is to build up and construct a strong and prosperous Pakistan.

Speech on the occasion of the presentation of new Pakistani coins and currency notes by the Finance Minister, April 1, 1948



Educational policy to build up character, integrity, honour and service to the nation

I few are to make any real, speedy and substantial progress, we must…bring our educational policy and programme on the lines suited to the genius of our people, consonant with our history and culture, and having regard to the modern conditions and vast developments that have taken place all over the world…. What we have to do is to mobilize our people and build up the character of our future generation…. In short, we have to build up the character of our future generation which means highest sense of honour, integrity, selfless service to the nation, and sense of responsibility, and we have to see that they are fully qualified or equipped to play their part in the various branches of economic life in a manner which will do honour to Pakistan.

Message to All Pakistan Educational Conference, Karachi, November 27, 1947


Faith, Unity and Discipline

I have no doubt that with unity, faith and discipline we will not only remain the fifth largest State in the world but will compare with any nation of the world.… You must make up your mind now. We must sink individualism and petty jealousies and make up our minds to serve the people with honesty and faithfulness. We are passing through a period of fear, danger and menace. We must have faith, unity and discipline.

Reply to North Western Railway Officers’ Welcome Address, Karachi, December 28, 1947


Feudalism exploitation of the masses

I should like to give a warning to the landlords and capitalists who have flourished at our expense by a system which is so vicious, which is so wicked and which makes them so selfish that it is difficult to reason with them. The exploitation of the masses has gone into their blood. They have forgotten the lessons of Islam.

Address, All India Muslim League Session, Delhi, April24, 1943



Islam — democracy equality, justice, freedom, integrity, fairplay

Islam and its idealism have taught democracy, Islam has taught equality, justice and fair play to everybody. What reasons is there for anyone to fear democracy, equality, freedom on the highest standard of integrity and on the basis of fair play and justice for everybody….Let us make it [the future constitution of Pakistan]. We shall make it and we shall show it to the world.

Address, Bar Association, Karachi, January 25, 1948


Law And Order

Remember that the scrupulous maintenance and enforcement of law and order are the prerequisites of all progress. The tenets of Islam enjoin on every Musalman to give protection to his neighbours and to the minorities regardless of caste and creed.

Speech at University Stadium, Lahore, 30 October 1947



Look after the poor
It is your sacred duty to look after the poor and help them. I would never have gone through the toil and suffering for the last ten years had I not felt our sacred duty towards them. We must secure for them better living conditions. It should not be our policy to make the rich richer, but that does not mean that we want to uproot things. We can quite consistently give all their due share.

27 Ramadhan 1366



Political issues cannot be settled by force
Grave political issues cannot be settled by the cult of the knife, or by gangsterism. There are parties and parties, but the difference between them cannot be resolved by attacks on Party leaders. Nor can political views be altered by the threats of violence.

Eid message, October 1943


Vision of Pakistan – 1

If we want to make this great State of Pakistan happy and prosperous, we should concentrate on the well being of the people, and especially of the masses and the poor. Everyone of you, no matter what his colour, caste or creed, is first, second or last a citizen of this State with equal rights, privileges and obligations…..

Address, Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, August11, 1947



Vision of Pakistan – 2
The establishment of Pakistan for which we have been striving… is, by [the] grace of God, an established fact today, but the creation of a State of our own was the means to an end and not the end in itself. The idea was that we should have a State in which we could live and breathe as free men and which we could develop according to our own rights and culture and where principles of Islamic social justice could find freeplay.

Address to Civil and Military Officers of Pakistan Government, Karachi, October11, 1947


Vision of Pakistan – 3

The other and higher aspect of Pakistan is that it would be a base where we will be able to train and bring up Muslim intellectuals, educationists, economists, scientists, doctors, engineers, technicians, etc. who will work to bring about Islamic renaissance. They will spread over the Middle East and other Muslim countries to serve their co-religionists and create awakening among them. The entire belt of the Middle East will develop into a solid, cohesive block—a third block—which will be neither communistic nor capitalistic but truly socialistic.

Quaid-i-Azam as seen by his contemporaries, by Jamiluddin Aali


Women’s rights

No nation can rise to the height of glory unless your women and side by side with you. We are victims of evil customs. It is a crime against humanity that our women are shut up within the four walls of the houses as prisoners. I do not mean that we should imitate the evils of the Western life. But let us try to raise the status of our women according to our own Islamic ideas and standards. There is no sanction anywhere for the deplorable conditions in which our women have to live. You should take your women along with you as comrades in every sphere of life, avoiding the corrupt practices of Western society.

Speech Muslim University Union, Aligarh, March10, 1944

Source: JWT; Vol/5, Issue/VII, April/11