by SHEHRYAR TASEER
My father wanted his children to live in a Pakistan envisioned by Muhammad Ali Jinnah [the country’s founder] – a liberal Pakistan, a tolerant Pakistan. He said that without liberation there is no tolerance; he believed in problem solving through reasoning and dialogue, a true democrat’s approach. At his inauguration as Governor, he stated that “from this day on, all the doors of the Governor’s House are open to the public.” He welcomed open discussion and debate.
He attempted to bolster his democratic ideal by vigorously promoting education. In his role as Governor, and therefore Chancellor of all the universities and schools of Punjab, he attended every convocation during his incumbency.
As the Guest of Honour, he gave motivational speeches, urging the youth to continue their education and to give back to a country that has given them so much. At my younger sister’s graduation in 2006, he spoke of how important it was to revere the ustaad – an honorific title for teachers and artists. He highlighted that the ustaad is the ultimate mentor – like the North Star – a beacon of light, a guide through darkness.
The Independent for more