CELEBRATION: How to celebrate 60th anniversary of Independence in 2007

We shall be completing 60 years of our independence in 2007. This will be an appropriate occasion to look back as well as to look ahead.
The celebrations should start on January 1 and continue until August 14, 2007. The planning and preparations will take time and, therefore, should start right now.
The plan proposes activities for the Government, the educational institutions and the media. Their initiatives will stimulate thinking among others and they will make their own plans. There is no limit to what can be done in various spheres. To give just a few examples,
a) The political parties may hold public meetings.
b) The chambers of commerce and industry, trade associations and trade unions may hold seminars and other functions.
c) (Boy) Scouts and (Girl) Guides may hold rallies.
d) Sports or­ganizations may arrange matches and tournaments.
e) Non-government organizations may arrange seminars and discussions to review developments in their own fields and plans for the future.
The primary purpose of this plan is to stimulate thinking and encourage planning in all fields and at all levels. It cannot cover all possibilities for all. Therefore, it concentrates on institutions that can involve participation by maximum number of people. The others may select points and topics and prepare their own plans.

Muhammad Abd al-Hameed


Educational institutions
The educational institutions – schools, colleges, universities – may concentrate their attention on the students, the parents and the teachers. The following activities are suggested for educational institutions:

Hoardings and boards
Hoardings and boards may be displayed at prominent places within the premises of educational institutions. The design for the hoardings and boards should be as follows:
The national flag should be on the right and these words in Urdu should be on the left: 2007 – Azadi ka 60-wan sal. Below it, these words should be on the entire length: Aaen, Pakistan ko misali mulk banaen.
The students will be looking at hoardings and boards several times dur­ing the day and will be inspired to work for a better Pakistan.
The commercial concerns may donate hoardings and their installation if an institution does not have necessary funds.

Special badge
A special badge may be de­signed. It may be round in shape, with 60 in white on a green back­ground (similar to that of the national flag).
All students may wear the badge during the entire celebration period.

Speech contests
The speech contests may be held at several levels. At the first level, there may be a contest for every class. Three top winners may then go for a contest at the institutional level.
The top three winners may go for a contest at the district level in case of schools and at the provincial level in case of colleges and universities.
The prizes should be in the form of best books on the struggle for inde­pendence so that the winners get a still better understanding of the genesis of Pakistan. The prizes should not be of large sums so that there is no manipu­la­tion for winning.
The active participants in the freedom movement may be given places of honour at the contest venues.
The idea behind the speech con­tests is to have maximum occasions for participation so that wide­spread awareness is created about independence and its demands.

Essay contests
The essay contests may also be at several levels. At the first level, there may be a con­test for every class. Three top winners may then go for a contest at the institutional level.
The top three winners may go for a contest at the district level in case of schools and at the provincial level in case of colleges and universities.
The prizes should be in the form of best books on the struggle for inde­pendence so that the winners get a still better understanding of the genesis of Pakistan. The prizes should not be of large sums so that there is no manipula­tion for winning.
Every institution may bring out a special issue of its magazine to publish all prize-winning essays of all classes. (If no magazine is brought out regularly, a one-time booklet may be published.) A copy of the magazine may be given to every stu­dent of the institution as a memento.

Poetry contests
Since good poets are not many, the initial contest may be only at the insti­tutional level. The top three winners may go for a contest at the district level in case of schools and at the provincial level in case of colleges and universities.
The prizes should be in the form of best books on the struggle for inde­pendence so that the winners get a still better understanding of the genesis of Pakistan. The prizes should not be of high value so that there is no manipu­la­tion for winning.
The special issue of the institu­tion’s magazine, that will publish all prize-winning essays of all classes, may also include the prize winning poems.

Literacy campaign
The students, both male and fe­male, may be encouraged to organize literacy classes for adults in their areas. Dur­ing the lessons, they may encourage dis­cussion on the Independence movement and their hopes for the future. The students may be given certifi­cates by their institutions in recognition of their services, after verification of their efforts.

Condensed history courses
The teachers and senior students may organize condensed courses on the freedom movement and the history of the past 60 years for junior students and other interested persons. The premises of the educational institutions may be used for the purpose. Certificates may be is­sued to participants.

Plays and tableaus
Wherever necessary talent is available, schools and colleges may stage plays and tableaus on various aspects of independence. All participants should be given certificates and books in recognition of their participation.

Film and television shows
Many good feature films and television plays are available on video. Educational institutions may bor­row VCRs or DVD players with television sets to hold special shows.
Just as they purchase books for their libraries, the educational institutions may buy VCD/DVD copies of films and televi­sion plays

Sports tournaments
The educational institutions may organize sports matches and tourna­ments for various games and sports at local (city or district) and higher (division or prov­ince) levels.

List of topics
The list of topics given below in the sec­tion, “The Media,” below may be used for vari­ous contests.


The Government
The ministries, departments, autonomous and semi-autonomous corporations and other organizations of the fed­eral and provincial governments and the Local Governments have the resources and the infrastructure to play a ma­jor role in celebrations . The following activities are suggested for them:

Special monogram and badges
A special rectangular monogram may be prepared with this design:
The national flag should be on the right and these words in Urdu should be on the left: Azadi ka 60-wan sal. Below it, these words should be on the entire length: Aaen, Pakistan ko misali mulk banaen.
This monogram may be used on letterheads, envelopes, file covers and all other official stationery. It may use the original colours of the flag unless econ­omy is desired in case of letterheads and envelopes.
The monogram may also be in­cluded in the right-hand top corner of all official press advertisements.
A special badge may also be de­signed. It may be round in shape, with 60 in white on a green back­ground (similar to that of the national flag).
The special badge may be worn by all government employees who wear uniform while on duty.
On Ramazan 27, special shukrana prayers may be organized throughout the country.

Hoardings and boards
All buildings and offices of the federal and provincial governments, autonomous and semi-autonomous cor­porations and organizations, Local Governments and other institutions may display promi­nently, outside as well as inside their premises, the hoardings and boards bearing the special mono­gram.

Railway
All railway stations may promi­nently display the hoardings and boards with the special monogram outside as well as inside the premises.
All vacant (not carrying any ad­vertisement) poster boards on the plat­forms and elsewhere at the railway sta­tions may be used to display posters with the special monogram (or with designs on the theme of Independence).
All passenger train carriages may carry the special monogram near the top on the outside, besides the railway’s own name.
Sing boards with the special mono­gram (or with designs on the theme of Independence) may be displayed above the windows of all railway booking (ticket) offices, where literally millions of people will see them daily.
Similar boards may also be dis­played inside all waiting rooms of railway stations. The Railway may require all advertisers dis­playing hoardings and boards in the premises of the railway stations to install new hoardings and boards with the spe­cial monogram or on the theme of Inde­pendence. The number of such hoardings may be equal to 20% of the total hoard­ings of an advertiser.
All railway employees who wear uni­form while on duty may wear the special badge.

Civil Aviation Authority
The Civil Aviation Authority may require all ad­vertisers displaying hoardings and boards in the premises of its airports to install new hoardings and boards with the spe­cial monogram (or with designs on the theme of Independence). The number of such hoardings may be equal to 20% of the total hoard­ings of an advertiser.
Sign boards with the special mono­gram (or with designs on the theme of Independence) may be displayed above all airport check-in counters, where thou­sands of people will see them daily.
Similar boards may also be dis­played inside all passenger lounges.
All civil aviation employees who wear uniform while on duty may wear the special badge.

PIA
PIA may display boards with the special monogram (or with designs on the theme of Independence) in all of­fices, in­cluding those in other countries.
It may produce special brochures in major world languages for dis­tribution through its offices abroad.
It may show in its international flights the film documentaries produced by the federal Information Ministry, in English and other major lan­guages.
All PIA employees who wear uniform while on duty may wear the special badge.

National Highway Authority
The National Highway Authority may require all ad­vertisers displaying hoardings on the na­tional highways to install new hoardings with the special monogram (or with de­signs on the theme of Independence). The number of such hoardings may be equal to 20% of the total hoardings of an advertiser.

Local Governments
The Local Governments may require all advertisers displaying hoardings on the roads within their jurisdictions to install new hoard­ings with the special monogram (or with designs on the theme of Independence). The number of such hoardings may be equal to 20% of the total hoardings of an advertiser.
Sign boards with the special mono­gram (or with designs on the theme of Independence) may be displayed in all offices and institutions.
The District Governments may, where relevant, build suitable memorials at all places where refugee camps were set up in 1947.
All tiers of Local Governments may or­ganize sports tournaments. All popular sports and games may be included.

Pakistan Post Office
The Pakistan Post Office may print the special monogram on all envelopes, post cards and other stationery issued during the celebration period. The cancellation and delivery stamps may also have this monogram.
Special postage stamps with the special monogram and with designs on the theme of Independence may be issued for the most common denominations.
All postal employees, who wear uni­form while on duty, will wear the special badge.

WAPDA
The special monogram may be printed prominently on the monthly electricity bills issued to consum­ers.

Pakistan Telecom. Corp.
The special monogram may be printed prominently on the monthly tele­phone bills.

Sui Gas companies
The special monogram may be printed prominently on the gas bills is­sued by Sui Northern and Sui Southern.

Banks
The banks may display boards with the special monogram (or with de­signs on the theme of Independence) in all branches and offices, including those in other countries.
All cheque books issued during the celebration period may bear the spe­cial monogram in background on every cheque.
All bank employees who wear uniform while on duty may wear the special badge.

Cinemas
All cinemas may be asked to show slides with the special monogram invariably before the start of a show and be­fore its resumption after the interval. These slides may be supplied by the In­formation Departments of the provincial governments to ensure uniformity of de­sign.
Boards with the special mono­gram (or with designs on the theme of Independence) may be displayed above the windows of all cinema booking (ticket) offices, where the people will see them daily.
During the celebration period, the cinemas may show daily at least one documentary film produced by the In­formation Department of the provincial government or the federal Information Ministry.

Information Ministry and In­formation Departments
Books. A series of books may be published, reviewing the developments during the past 60 years. In view of the huge material to be covered, one book may cover only one major theme, such as politics, economy, social services, communications, etc.
A chronology of all major events, with relevant pictures and illustrations, may also be published in book form.
The Information Ministry may produce these books at the national level while the Information Depart­ments may do it at the provincial level.
Every District Government may also produce these books relating to the developments in its district since Independence.
The books, in Urdu and English, may be published as and when manu­scripts are ready. The series may be completed before August 1997.
All books, produced by the federal, provincial and local government, may be made available later on CDs for wide distribution at a low cost.
Films. Special documentary films may be produced to cover developments in various sectors during the 60 years. A documentary may cover one major theme. The films may be shown in cine­mas and on televi­sion throughout the celebration period.
The Information Ministry may produce the documentaries at the national level while the Information Departments may do it at the provincial level.
Pakistan Television may also pro­duce documenta­ries on its own and also allow private companies to make them available on VCDs/DVDs.
Audio. Radio Pakistan, besides broadcasting special programmes, may compile material in its archives into CDs on various themes and subjects. The disks may be made available through private companies.

Diplomatic missions abroad
The achievements during the first 60 years may be highlighted during func­tions on national days at our diplomatic mis­sions abroad.
The national newspapers and magazines in respective countries may be persuaded to publish special articles (also supple­ments, if pos­sible) on our achieve­ments during the first 60 years.
The books, audio and video disks and film documentaries produced by the fed­eral Information Ministry, in English and other languages, may also be supplied to diplomatic missions abroad for dis­tribution, es­pecially among televi­sion and ra­dio networks and libraries in their areas of jurisdiction.
Pakistan Friendship Associations, existing in most countries, may be en­couraged to hold (a) essay competitions for students, (b) functions and meetings with local VIPs as speakers, and (c) video and film shows.


Media
The newspapers and magazines may spread the celebration over the entire year, in fact more than a year, instead of confining it to just one day.
The following plan is primarily for newspapers and magazines though radio, televi­sion and others can also use it as a guideline.
The celebrations may be divided into three phases, each marked by a spe­cial issue of newspapers and maga­zines.
a) In January 2007, a special issue may cover the struggle for Independence.
b) In March 2007, the achievements and failures of the previous 60 years may be reviewed.
c) In August 2007, the expectations for the next 40 years (up to the centenary in 2047) may be projected.
Thus, we will be able to recall our past, review the present and express our hopes for the future.

All contributions that the newspaper and magazines will receive can not be ac­commodated in only three special issues, nor can all writers observe the deadlines. Therefore, the material about all three phases may be spread over the entire pe­riod from January to August 2007. These overflowing articles, pub­lished in every weekly magazine section of dailies and every issue of weeklies and month­lies, will en­courage other forms of celebra­tion, be­sides being constant reminders to the readers.
Soon after August 2007, every newspaper and magazine may compile all articles published in its special and other issues into book form and publish for coming generations. It may also make them available on their web sites as well as CDs.
To identify the articles relating to the celebration in its ordinary issues, every publication may use a special monogram with them in the right or left top corner, showing the national flag on the right and these words on the left: “60-wan saal” or “60th Year.”


The struggle for Independence
The following topics are suggested for articles to be published in the special issue of newspapers and magazines in January 2007 and in subsequent issues. Special emphasis may be given to the hostile attitude of the British and the Hindus towards the Muslims only because of their religion.

The genesis
How and why the demand arose for a new country for the Muslims
The two-nation theory, its implications
The suppression of Muslims by the British, Hindus and Sikhs
The social status of Muslims in areas that later formed Pakistan
The expectations of the Muslim masses about life after Independence

The mass movement
The role of Muslim League in the struggle for freedom
The role of other political parties of Muslims
How Jinnah rose to become the Quaid-i-Azam
Why Quaid-i-Azam had a parting of ways with the Congress
How Allama Iqbal inspired the Muslims
The contribution in the struggle for Independence of
a) students,
b) journalists,
c) poets,
d) lawyers,
e) rich and the landlords,
f) business community,
g) ulema, and
h) women.
The role of leading educational institutions and associations
The role of Muslims of mi­nority provinces in the freedom struggle
Why the Muslims demanded a separate electorate for elections

The opposition
Why the British and the Hindus opposed the demand for Pakistan
The obstinacy of the Hindus in rejecting every compromise offer
Why the Sikhs decided not to go with the Muslims
How Lord Mountbatten favoured the Hindus
The Radcliffe award and its con­sequences for Pakistan

The migration
The long journey to a new home through death and destruction
The role of the railway in the evacuation of refugees
How the army helped in rescuing the refugees
The role of the police in the evacuation of refugees
The problems of resettling the refugees


The first 60 years
The following topics are suggested to cover both achievements and failures in various fields since 1947. The articles should give a balanced view.

Constitutional matters
The trials and tribulations of framing the first constitution
The comparison of 1956 Constitution with Govt of In­dia Act, 1935
Why and how the 1956 Constitution was abrogated
How upholding of abrogation affected our subsequent history
The reasons for adopting presi­dential system under 1962 Constitution
Why 1973 Constitution was so different from the interim one of 1972
The impact of the Eighth amend­ment on subsequent political history
How successive governments have been violating the constitutional

Islamization
The Islamic provisions in various constitutions
The Islamization measures during the Zia regime
The efforts for the elimination of riba
The impact of provisions regard­ing zakat, ushr and Bait al-Mal
The influence of Islam on the electronic and print media
The efforts to set up a welfare state in accordance with Islam.

Martial laws
How the constitutional crises led to imposition of martial laws.
Major events under the martial law regimes of
a) Azam Khan (in Lahore in 1953)
b) Ayub Khan
c) Yahya Khan
d) Z. A. Bhutto
e) Zia ul Haq
The relationship between the army and various civil governments
The relationship between the opposition and martial law re­gimes
The judgments of superior courts on the imposi­tion of martial laws

Government
The duration in office of heads of state and government:
a) Governors Generals
b) Presidents
c) Prime Ministers
d) In­terim Prime Ministers
e) Chief Martial Law Ad­ministrators
The duration in office of minis­ters in all federal cabi­nets since 1947
The duration in office in all provinces of
a) Gov­ernors
b) Chief Ministers
c) Interim Chief Ministers
d) Martial Law Administrators (incl. East Pakistan until 1971)
The duration in office of all minis­ters in all provinces since 1947

Political affairs
Results of all federal and provincial elections since 1947
Why the parliamentary system has not been working properly
How defections have made the elected governments instable
Why the legislators are keen to influence and control the executive.
How the Local Governments have transformed the society
The changing role of landlords and businessmen in politics
Why political parties do not have democratic internal procedures
Why political parties have not been able to create grassroots appeal
Why some parties talk of nation­alities rather than only the nation
The treatment of minorities and their role in government and society

Wars and peace
The capability of defence forces in 1947
The struggle for the liberation of Kashmir since 1947
The Battle for the Rann of Kutch.
Why and how Operation Gibral­tar was undertaken
First India-Pakistan War, 1965
The impact of the first war on our society
Second India-Pakistan War, 971
Why and how East Pakistan be­came Bangladesh
The consequences of the separa­tion of East Pakistan
The defence strategies and plans at various stages
How we got the nuclear bomb
The implications of Kargil for the Kashmir issue
The peace process under President Musharraf
The final solution of the Kashmir issue

Administration
Why the corruption has been growing among the public servants
How the lack of security of service affects the public servants
Why judiciary could not be sepa­rated from executive for so long
The consequences of quotas in government jobs, particularly in Sindh
How the use of English affects the efficiency of bureaucrats

Law and order
The changes in the pattern of crime over the years
The influence of narcotics and illegal arms on crime
The politicization of crime and its consequences for the society
The consequences of inadequate resources for police and courts

Media
The developments over the decades relating to
a) print media
b) radio
c) television
d) film, and
e) other media
The impact of foreign video, audio and satellite television
The transformation and growth of Urdu as the national language
The publication of Urdu Ency­clopedia of Islam and Urdu Dictionary
The promotion of literature by public and private institutions

Education
Why illiteracy and lack of universal elementary education continue
The evolution and growth of
a) elementary,
b) secondary and
c) university education
The impact of Bhutto’s nationali­zation on education
The consequences of English lan­guage continuing as
a) the medium of instruction in upper class institutions,
b) a compulsory subject at various levels of education, and
c) the official language
The commercial and philan­thropic role of private sector in education

Science and technology
The development of nuclear technology and the bomb
The first Noble prize for Pakistan
The research relating to space, rock­ets and satellites
The indigenization and development of defence equipment
The technical and scientific re­search in public and private institutions
The impact of computers, Internet and mobile phones on society

Health
The expansion of health services since Independence
The hospitals and health services provided by philanthropists
The philanthropic services of Imran Khan, Sattar Eidhi and others
The achievements of top experts in medicine and surgery

Infrastructure
The building of highways and motorways
The impact of the railway on business and the society
The growth of PIA and the new domestic airlines
The growth in generation of hy­del, thermal and nuclear electricity
The impact of major dams, like Warsak, Mangla and Tarbela
How the construction of Kala­bagh Dam was delayed
The provision of electricity in vil­lages and its impact on rural society
The contribution of the expanding network of farm-to-market roads

Business and industry
The growth in light and heavy in­dustries
Foreign private investment in industry and services
The industrial growth during the Ayub Khan period
The consequences of nationaliza­tion of industries by Bhutto
The liberalization of industry and business in recent years
The impact the IMF and World Bank on our economy

Agriculture
The land reforms under Ayub Khan and Bhutto and their abolition
How the pattern of agriculture has been changing over the decades
How the increase in per hectare yield came about for major crops
The growing mechanization of farming and its impact
The introduction of chemical fertilizers and their impact
The consequences of introducing Mexi-Pak wheat and IRRI rice

Economy
How the share of agriculture is decreasing in the economy
The emergence and growth of black or parallel economy
The expansion of domestic debt and its impact
The consequences of deficits in the federal and provincial budgets

Foreign trade
The pattern of exports and im­ports and present trends
The reasons for previous stagnation and present expansion in exports
The main trading partners and the evolution of their relationship
Why IMF has been willingly financing deficit in balance of payments
The impact of liberalization of im­ports
The growth of smuggling under po­litical and bureaucratic patron­age

Foreign aid
How the foreign loans increased over the years
How foreign loans gradually replaced grants
The impact of US PL-480 assistance on our agriculture and econ­omy
The consequences of borrowings from IMF and the World Bank

International relations
The Kashmir issue and its handling by successive governments
The liberation movement in Kashmir
The attitude of various govern­ments towards the Khalistan Movement
The role of the people and vari­ous governments in the Afghan jihad
The impact of Baghdad Pact, CENTO and SEATO on foreign policy
Pakistan’s role in peacekeeping and other UN operations
The history of relations under various gov­ernments with
a) U.S.
b) China
c) India
d) USSR (now Russia), and
e) major Muslim countries


Towards the centenary in 2047
The following topics are suggested to project plans, estimates and expectations for the next 40 years, until the 100th Independence anniversary in 2047. The objective should be to explore the potential in various fields as well as express the hopes and desires of the people.

Aspirations
What should be our national objec­tives and aspirations for future
How our daily life can be entirely in accordance with Islam
How the mosques can regain their role in our social life
What kind of future the children of today may expect to have
How our cultural heritage can be preserved and promoted

Economic power
How we can also be­come a “tiger” like some Asian countries
How the budgets can be improved to be always in surplus
How we can repay all domestic and foreign loans

Standard of living
How our cities can have all modern public services
How our villages can meet their basic needs
How we can ensure a reasonable standard of living for all

Knowledge
How we can have universal liter­acy
How we can provide higher sec­ondary education to every student
How modern technologies can be used for promotion of education
How information technology can transform our society
How research can be promoted in various fields


The earlier version of this plan was prepared and widely distributed in 1995 for the celebration of 50 years of Independence in 1997. This is a revised version for 2007.

April 25, 2005