Quaid-e-Azam's appeal to remain united

Address to a public meeting at Peshawar: April 20, 1948 Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah addressing a mammoth public meeting in Peshawar on April 20, 1948, made a fervent appeal to the people of the Frontier Province to remain united under the banner of the Muslim League as they had been during their struggle for the achievement of Pakistan. The Quaid-i-Azam warned the people against the grave national emergency existing both internally and externally and stressed that under the circumstances they should have only one political party. He advised the people not to believe in new mushroom-like political parties organized by erstwhile anti-Pakistan elements, to avoid domestic controversies, petty quarrels and provincialism. Referring to "evil legacies" of the past, Quaid-i-Azam said that these could only be eradicated if they stood united as one nation and fully supported their Government. "We have still a long way to build up Pakistan," the Quaid-i-Azam said, "but I have no doubt that by the grace of God, by adopting right methods and the right course we shall march along to make it one of the greatest States of the world." The Quaid-i-Azam continued: "Do not be misled. You have seen, you have realized, that it is the Muslim League and the Muslim League alone that has saved the Frontier Province from going into the clutches of Hindu Raj. That Party has made sacrifices, and thousands have died in the achievement of Pakistan. Do you think that the Muslim League can give you the right lead or those who are against us, those who were in the enemy camp. Are they entitled to look after Pakistan or we?" Bribery and Nepotism Concluding, the Quaid-i-Azam observed: "No doubt, we have got men who are selfish. I know we have got men who are selfish. I know we have men who are guilty of jobbery, bribery and nepotism. I know all this is going on. I do not say that the Government is perfect, but now we have got the reins of the Government, believe me, we are wide awake. We are watching your Government, your Province, your Ministry, your Civil Services and what is generally happening in this Province. It is under our searchlight and there is no doubt we shall be soon able to x-ray it and throw out the poison from our body politic. But you must have a little patience and give us a chance and a reasonable time."