On August 11, 1947 Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah delivered his famous speech before the constituent assembly of the newly established state of Pakistan. In his address, he gave vent to his vision of Pakistan. He dwelt on the primary functions and responsibilities of the virgin Constituent Assembly, warned against certain evils that might befall the new country and spoke in defense of the partition of India.
His speech is as follows:
Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen!
"I cordially thank you, with the utmost sincerity, for the honour you have conferred upon me the greatest honour that is possible to confer - by electing me as your first President. I also thank those leaders who have spoken in appreciation of my services and their personal references to me. I sincerely hope that with your support and your co-operation, we shall make this Constituent Assembly an example to the world. The Constituent Assembly has got two main functions to perform. The first is the very onerous and responsible task of framing the future constitution of Pakistan and the second of functioning as a full and complete sovereign body as the Federal Legislature of Pakistan. We have to do the best we can in adopting a provisional constitution for the Federal Legislature of Pakistan. You know really that not only we ourselves are wondering but, I think, the whole world is wondering at this unuprecedented cyclonic revolution which has brought about the plan of creating and establishing two independent sovereign Dominions in this sub-continent. As it is, it has been unprecedent, there is no parallel in the history of the world. This mighty sub-continent with all kinds of inhabitants has been brought under a plan which is titanic, unknown, unparalleled. And what is very important with regards to it, is that we have achieved it peacefully and by means of an evolution of the greatest possible character. Dealing with our first function in this Assembly, I cannot make any well- considered pronouncement at this moment, but I shall say a few things as they occur to me. The first and the foremost thing that I would like to emphasize is this: remember that you are now a sovereign legislative body and you have got all the powers. It, therefore, places on you the gravest responsibility as to how you should take your decisions. The first observation that I would like to make is this: You will no doubt agree with me that the first duty of a government is to maintain law and order, so that the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects are fully protected by the State."
Question 1: What significant event occurred on August 11, 1947, according to the passage?
Answer: Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah delivered his famous speech before the constituent assembly of the newly established state of Pakistan.
Question 2: What were the primary functions and responsibilities of the Constituent Assembly, as highlighted in Quaid-e-Azam's speech?
Answer: The primary functions were to frame the future constitution of Pakistan and to function as a full and complete sovereign body as the Federal Legislature of Pakistan.
Question 3: What unprecedented event does Quaid-e-Azam describe in his speech?
Answer: Quaid-e-Azam describes the unprecedented cyclonic revolution that peacefully established two independent sovereign Dominions in the sub-continent.
Question 4: According to Quaid-e-Azam, what is the first duty of a government?
Answer: The first duty of a government, according to Quaid-e-Azam, is to maintain law and order to ensure the protection of the life, property, and religious beliefs of its subjects.
Question 5: How does Quaid-e-Azam emphasize the responsibility of the Constituent Assembly members?
Answer: Quaid-e-Azam emphasizes that as a sovereign legislative body, the members of the Constituent Assembly have the gravest responsibility in making decisions.
Question 6: Why does Quaid-e-Azam express gratitude towards the Constituent Assembly members?
Answer: Quaid-e-Azam expresses gratitude for the honor of being elected as the first President and hopes to make the Constituent Assembly an example to the world with their support and cooperation.
