The month of December always brings a mixture of bitter-sweet memories to our collective minds. On 16 December 1971, the tragic episode of the fall of Dhaka occurred when our country was split into two parts. Our Bengali brothers left us in deep agony and anguish — the wounds of which are still to be healed. Also on the 16th of December, eight years ago, the horrendous attack on the Army Public School took place which left an indelible mark on the memory of Pakistanis. More than a hundred children were killed by retrogressive elements pursuing a misguided agenda to impose their power through violence.
In the same month, 25th of December marks the birthday of Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who carved out a separate state for Indian Muslims to live by the democratic principles coupled with Islamic thought. His vision for Pakistan as a developmental, progressive, and democratic state has been hijacked by invested interests — a project to be completed by the democrats through politics of reconciliation, tolerance and foresightedness. On the same day, 25th of December, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif was born in 1949. He took inspiration from Quaid-e-Azam for the cause of civil supremacy, the sanctity of the vote, and the strengthening of democratic norms in Pakistan.
Another important day, the 10th of December marks Human Rights Day. This day is closely aligned with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and the struggle of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif as human rights can best be protected by democratic structures in which freedom is guaranteed by the Constitution. Human rights, in the broader context, delineate an agenda of development by incubating critical thought and a culture of debate rooted in the social, moral, and cultural arteries of a nation.
Last, but not least, 25th December marks Christmas Day. The day symbolizes love and compassion for all human beings. Happiest felicitation to our Christian brothers and sisters on this auspicious day. Their services to Pakistan are diverse and praiseworthy. PML-N believes that all peoples and communities have the same rights in the state of Pakistan irrespective of their religious beliefs.
In the pages of the current issue of Horizon, facts about the Toshakhana case, Kissan Package, and Climate Change Conference in Egypt have been brought to the limelight. The interview of the Governor of Punjab Baligh Ur Rehman throws light on the multifaceted projects launched by PML-N governments both at federal and provincial levels. We hope and expect that your reading of this magazine will help us further improve the coming issues.
Editor-in-chief
Saira Bano
