Land of the Pure

The Name

On January 28, 1933 - Chaudhary Rahmat Ali in a pamphlet ‘Now or Never’ wrote PAKSTAN meaning Land of the Pure; later ‘i’ was included: Pakistan.

The Flag

The flag was designed by Syed Ameer-ud-din Kidwai based on Muslim League’s flag in which green field represents Muslim majority and the vertical white stripe, religious minorities. The white crescent represents progress and a white five-pointed star represents light and knowledge.

On August 11, 1947 Constituent Assembly adopted the design.

On August 14, 1947 / Ramadan 27, 1366 the state was established.

The Anthem

In December 1948, government formed National Anthem Committee (NAC).

In 1950, NAC had to compose music to be played on the visit of Shah of Iran.

Member of tune sub-committee, Ahmed Ghulamali Chagla was asked to produce musical composition; he produced three-stanza’s tune (without lyrics) with assistance of another member and Pakistan Navy’s band.

On August 10, 1950, composition was played before Liaquat Ali Khan (Prime Minister) and was approved.

In December 1953, music was officially accepted.

In August 1954, NAC approved lyrics written by a member of the committee Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez Jullandhuri.

On August 13, 1954, Radio Pakistan played national anthem.

On August 16, 1954, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting approved it.

National Anthem'

by Abu-Al-Asar Hafeez Jullundhri

Blessed be the sacred land

Happy be the bounteous realm

Symbol of high resolve

Land of Pakistan

Blessed be thou, citadel of faith

The order of this sacred land

Is the might of the brotherhood of the people

May the nation, the country, and the state

Shine in glory everlasting

Blessed be the goal of our ambition

This flag of the crescent and star

Leads the way to progress and perfection

Interpreter of our past, glory of our present

Inspiration of our future

Symbol of Almighty’s protection.

Seeking Some Place For Truth

by Atif Abbas

In ancient times people say ‘truth is bitter’ - truth was bitter for listener; now in present era truth is bitter for those who speak or write. In this modern and materialistic world, is there some space for truth?

Everyone is living or I shall say sleeping with wrapped cloth from which he can see everything but doesn’t say or do anything. World is developing and destroying nature, in this development there is nothing left like noble character, peace of mind and courage.

In this fabulous world, man has to be vigilant because no one around him is sincere even with himself. If you want to be on high designation, you have to vanish your conscience and people with no self-respect can do that - sensitive person can’t do. If he does justice he is tortured.

If you say right word or oppose the one who is wrong then you will be given a leaving certificate. The question is same, is there some space for a thing named truth?

I know a person who once unfortunately wrote reality where he had to go, he was given a leaving certificate. One who can be or who is aggressive about reality has no room in this building made by man.

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I wrote this in Class 9^th after expulsion from school because of writing about that school in an essay. 

Image Courtesy: MS Office 2000