Published on, Aug. 25 -- August 25, 2025 1:21 AM

On 14 August, the common populace of Pakistan celebrated the 78th birthday of their beloved land with traditional fervour. The elite and ruling class, blending their claims of patriotism with somewhat hollow commitments to the ideals of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, pledged loyalty to the country he bequeathed to us. They have been doing this rhetorically every year since August 1947. Being only two years younger than Pakistan, I have grown up with it, and I know the truth of their commitment to this land. While reckoning that this land gave me everything from shelter to education, career and a good life, I owe a profound gratitude to Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Mr. Jinnah spent his whole life fighting a...