Jinnah's speech about welfare of Pakistan's non-Muslims never went public

Pakistan founder MA Jinnah had spoken about "welfare and well-being of all the communities" in Pakistan in a speech made on the day of the country's creation but not made public so far.

In the brief speech recorded by All India Radio on August 14, 1947, Jinnah had invoked Prophet Mohammad and emperor Akbar to emphasise that "tolerance and goodwill" would be shown to non-Muslims in Pakistan.

"It will be our constant effort to work for the welfare and well-being of all the communities in Pakistan and I hope that everyone will be inspired by the idea of public service and they will be imbued with the spirit of cooperation and will show the political and civic virtues which go to make a great nation," he had said.

Invoking the Prophet, Jinnah had said that he had "not only by words but by deeds treated the Jews and Christians handsomely after he conquered them. He showed to them utmost tolerance and regard and respect for their faith and beliefs.

"The whole history of Muslims where they rule is replete with those humane and great principles and which should be followed and practised by us."

The speech was recorded in Karachi but never made public, according to 'Outlook' magazine which published it.

The speech, along with another address, was also released by the government in reply to RTI filed by activist Subhash Chandra Agrawal.

In another speech, recorded by AIR on June 3,1947, Jinnah had appealed to every community, particularly the Muslims in India, to maintain peace and order during transfer of power.

"Grave responsibilities lie particularly on the shoulders of Indian leaders. Therefore, we must galvanise and concentrate all our energies to see that the transfer of power is effected in a peaceful and orderly manner," he had said.

In the same address, Jinnah had referred to ongoing civil disobedience movement in North West Frontier Province and promised that a referendum would be held there to determine whether people of that region wanted to join Pakistan or India.

"... Referendum will be made to the electorates of the present legislative assembly and the North West Frontier (Province)... The referendum will be held under the aegis of the Governor General in consultation with the provincial government," he had said.

"Hence, it is clear that the verdict and the mandate of the people of the Frontier Province will be obtained as to whether they want to join the Pakistan Constituent Assembly or the Hindustan Constituent Assembly," Jinnah had declared.

He had gone on to add that, "I fervently hope that the Frontier will go through this referendum in a peaceful manner and it should be the anxiety of everyone to obtain a fair, free and true verdict of the people."

In this context, he had appealed to provincial Muslim League of the Frontier Province to withdraw the "movement of peaceful civil disobedience which they have resorted to".