IKRAM ULLAH The first issue of Nawa-i-Waqt was published on March 23, 1940. This also reminds me of the historical annual session of the All India Muslim League, under the leadership of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which was held on the same day at Minto Park (now Iqbal Park) and where the momentous Pakistan Resolution was passed. In this session, the Quaid openly stated: "Mussalmans are a nation according to any definition of nation." His remark at Minto Park was so powerful that the resistance to the Muslim nationhood, by both the Hindus and the British, collapsed in a short time of seven years resulting in the emergence of Pakistan on August 14, 1947. So Nawa-i-Waqt, making its first appearance on the historic date of March 23, was destined to act as a vanguard in the valiant struggle for Pakistan under the leadership of late Hameed Nizami, who was the first President of the Punjab Muslim Students Federation and had fortunately caught the Quaid's attention during his visits to Lahore from 1938 to 1940. As the Hindu press comprising Daily Milap, Partap and the Tribune dominated the media and mainly supported the Hindu ideology, the Urdu newspapers with limited circulation generally favoured the Unionist government under Sir Sikandar Hayat; the only exception was Zamindar published by Maulana Zafar Ali Khan. Hence, an urgent need was felt for a newspaper, as a mouthpiece of the Muslim League, in support of a separate homeland for the Muslims of India. Thus, the Quaid chose Mr Nizami to fill this vacuum in the media. It was Mr Nizami's strong will and commitment that many of his close friends joined hands to support and help him in this challenging task. They also assisted in the distribution of the first issue of Nawa-i-Waqt at the annual session at Minto Park. Last but not the least, I am proud to be among those who had the honour to assist Mr Nizami on March 23 and also participate in the Pakistan Movement that followed. Indeed, the 'first step' in a long journey, and if taken in the right direction, plays the most important part in the success of any mission. Therefore, the 'first step' of establishing a newspaper to promote Pakistan's ideology has witnessed many ups and downs during the past 70 years. These 70 years have been tumultuous in the history of Nawa-i-Waqt, no less than the history of Pakistan itself. Throughout his life Mr Nizami never wavered for a single moment in sacrificing all that he had, including his life, in order to fulfil Quaid-i-Azam's dream of an Islamic, modern, democratic and welfare state for 22 long years. The challenge has since been carried forward courageous by his younger brother Majid Nizami for the last half a century. Nawa-i-Waqt during this period has earned many laurels without ever faltering, thus, carrying the flag of the Quaid with a resolve to achieve his mission. Certainly, Nawa-i-Waqt's past 70 years is something that we can all be proud of. And I pray for Mr Majid's good health and long life to carry on the scared mission of promoting the ideology of Pakistan successfully. The writer is the president of the Pakistan National Forum.