In my childhood, as a growing boy in school, we were taught the meaning of Pakistan, derived from Pak Sar Zameen, meaning the “Pure Land.” In its broadest sense, a Pure Land represents a place free from hatred, injustice, fear, and discrimination—a society built on compassion, equality, peace, and mutual respect. This meaning extends beyond religion and reflects humanity’s universal desire for coexistence and harmony.

For me, born and raised in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest and most diverse city, the city once represented a beautiful bouquet of different religions, cultures, ethnicities, and languages—a truly plural society. It would be unjust if I did not mention Misquita Bakery, founded by Joseph Cajetan Misquita in 1858, and the old Pereira Bakery in the Saddar area, a historic district of Karachi, where I used to buy Christmas cakes and eagerly wait for Christmas. These bakeries were not only visited by Christians, but by people from all communities, and during the season, the entire atmosphere reflected Christmas and nothing else.

Pakistan was envisioned as a Pure Land, a homeland where people could live with dignity, freedom, and security. The name “Pakistan” symbolises the land of the pure, not only in a religious sense but also in moral values such as honesty, tolerance, justice, and respect for human rights. The founders imagined a state where faith would unite rather than divide, and citizens of all religions would enjoy equal rights and opportunities.

In an ideal Pakistan, people of different religions, Muslims, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and others would live together in peace. Diversity would be valued as a strength, places of worship would stand side by side as symbols of unity, and religious identity would never be a basis for discrimination. Every citizen would feel safe practising their beliefs while respecting those of others.

Encouragingly, this........

© The Friday Times