Our identity ,Our pride
By.Eng Iftikhar Chaudhry.
Nations are recognized by their identity, history, and culture, and clothing plays an important role in this identity. It reflects not only a person’s personality but also the traditions, dignity, and collective spirit of a nation. For Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah chose the sherwani and Jinnah cap as national attire, making them symbols of Pakistan’s identity. Sadly, today these garments are not given the respect they deserve.
I, Engineer Iftikhar Chaudhary, feel this loss and have decided to raise my voice to bring back the importance of these clothes. I have started wearing the Jinnah cap at various events and occasions, hoping to restore its significance as part of our national heritage.
The sherwani and Jinnah cap are not just clothes; they are symbols of dignity and pride. Quaid-e-Azam chose them to give Muslims a sense of respect and to create a separate identity from the British. These clothes represent our culture and history.
When Pakistan was founded in 1947, Quaid-e-Azam’s attire became a symbol of Muslim pride. The sherwani was a sign of elegance and respect, while the Jinnah cap symbolized freedom and unity.
Today, 76 years later, we have forgotten the importance of this attire. Now, the sherwani and Jinnah cap are used without much thought, losing their cultural meaning.
In the judiciary, for example, grade IV employees are asked to wear the sherwani and Jinnah cap. While these employees are respectable, the question arises: why can’t they wear a different uniform? The Jinnah cap and sherwani should be saved for higher positions to maintain their honor.
Similarly, in government events, the Jinnah cap and sherwani are worn as formal attire, taking away their special meaning.
This issue is close to my heart. Mr. Umar Ayub, you may remember how your grandfather looked when he wore the Jinnah cap over his English suit. The cap complemented his suit and added to his respect. My father, Chaudhry Barkhudar, wore the Jinnah cap when he won the BD member election. This made him stand out and showed his leadership.
When we respect the turban of heroes like Tipu Sultan, we should also restore the respect for the Jinnah cap, sherwani, and turban.
To solve this, I believe the sherwani and Jinnah cap should only be worn by people in leadership roles. In places where they are currently used, new uniforms should be introduced, which are modern yet still respectful of our traditions. For example, suits with buttons or zips like the sherwani can be used to blend tradition with modern fashion.
I ask Mr. Umar Ayub, the Leader of the Opposition, to bring this matter to the National Assembly. It is important that we stop the misuse of the Jinnah cap and sherwani and restore their dignity.
It is my mission to ensure that the Jinnah cap, sherwani, and turban regain the respect they deserve. I am taking steps toward this goal and hope that future generations understand their importance.
Schools and universities should teach the significance of these garments. The media should highlight the importance of our cultural heritage, and fashion designers should make modern versions of these clothes for the youth to wear proudly.
This issue is not just for the government or judiciary but for the whole nation. We need to honor our history and culture. The Jinnah cap and sherwani are not just old garments; they are symbols of our national pride.
The time has come for us to restore the respect these garments deserve. I have taken the first step, and now it is time for the nation to join this movement and show the world that we take pride in our culture and heritage. The respect for the Jinnah cap and sherwani is the respect of our nation.
