APROPOS the article `Jinnah`s last words` (Dec 23). A debate appears to be raging between two opposing camps in our country as regards Mr Jinnah`s idea whether Pakistan should be a puritan state or otherwise.
The writer like some other people in the minority believe that no credit worthy evidence exists that shows Mr Jinnah to be inclined to the right.
The debate has heated up on the social media where an evidence of sorts in the voice of the late Dr Israr has been posted that says the Quaid wanted Pakistan to be a Shari`at based state.
A Sweden-based Pakistan origin scholar Dr Ishtiaq is of the view that Mr Jinnah in his extensive correspondence with the Pir of Manki Shareef had promised to enforce Shari`at in Pakistan once the dream was realised. Dr Ishtiaq`s analysis has also attracted sharp reaction from his detractors in English-language media.
I believe we need not go far to find out the truth behind such correspondence between Mr Jinnah and the Pir of Manki.
Manki Shareef is just about 10 kilometers to the south of Nowshera on the GT Road where the extended and influential family of the late Pir lives.
The family must be in possession, or otherwise, of the much talked about letters. The letters, if they exist, could prove to be one of the many vital links to what the founder of Pakistan had in his mind.
All that the writer and others need to do is to visit Manki Shareef to find out for themselves and while doing so also relish the world`s best oranges that Manki area is famous for worldwide.
