Pakistans present leadership on either side of the political divide, apparently seems, so possessed with the achievement of their tactical targets that there are no indicators of their respective political goals as reflected in their election manifestos, that they intent to strive for, and even wage a struggle to achieve the destiny of Pakistan, as per the vision of Allama Iqbal and Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. I am subject to correction, but I do not remember any of the parties which participated or those who boycotted the February 2008 elections for certain reasons, raised their voices for the establishment of the state that the Quaid had struggled for and gave his life in the process of the attainment of his vision. After the newborn state was deprived of the Founder Fathers guidance and soon an assassins bullet removed Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan was virtually orphaned. The rest is history. During the process of decline and disintegration spread over half a century, Pakistan went through three wars with India and four martial laws. The Indian PM Indra Gandhi, after the 1971 debacle, boasted that Jinnahs Two Nation Theory had been drowned in the Bay of Bengal. What a shame for each and everyone of us in the left over portion of the Founder Fathers gift, now called Pakistan, that instead of providing a befitting answer to India and the rest of the world that the proud legacy of Quaid-i-Azam stands united like rock and stronger in our resolve to face any internal or external challenge, some, amongst our own ranks, have unfortunately started re-echoing the Indian boast of Indra Gandhi, without caring to understand the shameful implications. However, we are all proud of our Quaid. Dhaka fell, because we departed from the path that Jinnah had set for the newborn state through the slogan of Unity Faith and Discipline. We had to pay a heavy price for not living up to the expectations and goals set for us by the Father of the Nation. Having said that, let me come to the present state of the federation of Pakistan. I need not repeat the internal and external challenges that the country is facing. I am more concerned about the ultimate destiny of Pakistan in strategic terms rather than local problems faced by the sitting government at the centre or in the provinces. These are, no doubt, very important but not as important as the security and survival of Pakistan. It is my considered view and firm belief that Pakistan is passing through the most critical period of its beleaguered. Our economy has never suffered such erosion. Our political stability has never been so deeply damaged. Although our strength and hope lies in our nuclear capability but this is only of defensive nature. It cannot help to overcome the challenges created by extremism compounded by suicide bombers roaming at large in every major urban centre of Pakistan. No single political party, whether at the centre or in the provinces, can successfully counter this growing threat. It requires national efforts through a national government, to meet such a deadly threat. Our house is on fire. Pakistan is at war. Let us all sit and work out our immediate national priorities. At one time the restoration of the deposed judiciary was considered our top priority and solution to all our problems. Having accomplished that objective, our next goal is the immediate implementation of the Charter of Democracy (CoD). Everyone, on either side of the political divide agrees on CoD as the Magna Carta. A parliamentary committee is on the cards to accomplish this mission. I have gone through all the 36 articles of this Charter. I hope and pray that the CoD sees the light of day across the horizon of Pakistan without any delay. I only wish to add that if Parliament is finally in the mood to restore the 1973 constitution in its original and undiluted form, let us not forget to restore the pristine glory and majesty of the Founder Father Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnahs vision of establishing a modern, democratic, Islamic welfare state. To achieve this goal, all efforts to diminish the granger of the unique leadership of the Founder Father must be ruthlessly not only discouraged but totally eliminated. The writer is the president of the Pakistan National Forum