‘Few individuals significantly alter the course of history. Fewer still modify the map of the world. Hardly anyone can be credited with creating a nation-state. Mohammad Ali Jinnah did all three.’ - Stanley Wolpert

Even 61 years after his death, Pakistan’s founder: Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s message carries as much power today as it did then. With over 53,000 supporters on his Facebook page, Muhammad Ali Jinnah is the most popular Pakistani political figure on Facebook.

The only other political figure from Pakistan who has garnered interest from Facebook users is our very own President Asif Ali Zardari for the Zardari, YOU SUCK!! and Ulloo Ka Patha pages.

Read on for more information regarding Jinnah’s very popular fan page!

Pakistan Ek Naazuk Morr Say Guzar Raha Hai

In this day and age, where Pakistan is facing perhaps the greatest crisis in her history, inspiration comes in spurts of far and few. Load-shedding, price hikes, corruption, injustice and political instability are only just some of the significant national issues prevalent in Pakistan today. They only serve to dampen our spirits and sense of pride for Pakistan.

Have a look at the music video of “Laga Reh” by Shehzad Roy. So truthful and hurtful, you’ll laugh at it.

There are however, certain people who are doing their bit for the society by spreading messages of goodwill. Motivating us. Inspiring us. Helping us do more. Making us work harder to go that extra mile just for Pakistan. One such man is Faraz Mushtaq.

He is administrator of Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Facebook. The Facebook page that has inspired thousands with it’s uplifting quotes, facts, videos and photos taken straight out from the life of the Quaid-i-Azam.

Unknown to many, the Admin’s real identity is finally revealed in a brief five-question interview.

The Interview

Me: This is perhaps the most asked question: Who are you?

Faraz: “Who am I” is certainly the question most asked. Recently it created quite a confusion in our coordinating teams. I thought of working in a dim light but some questions were being raised about my identity that had to be answered.

My name is Faraz Mushtaq. Basically from Lahore. Currently working with a fast growing company in Kuwait and running my own business simultaneously.

In short, you can say I am just another patriotic Pakistani who loves to serve his country.

Me: Where did the idea of making a page for Quaid-i-Azam come from? Was it spontaneous or planned?

Faraz: Well, I think it was when Obama start campaigning on Facebook in early 2007, I realized the potential of social networking and how it motivated the whole world by spreading ‘hope’. Every nation has a leader which makes them proud.

I created the Muhammad Ali Jinnah Facebook page specially for the youth and people who love him enough to know him as Quaid-e-Azam.

Me: 53,000+ fans and counting. Did you expect so much enthusiasm from the people?

Faraz: Here I like to mention that I belong to Pakistan Youth Revolution (PYR) which is my constant source of enthusiasm to do more for Pakistan. The PYR team has enlightened many minds to go that “extra mile” for Pakistan, the list is simply too long to mention here.

Now, I am sure that we can achieve 1 lac supporters within next few months. According to our page statistics, 90% of the supporters are young people (ranging from 16 to 25 years of age) in approximately fifty four thousand supporters.

Me: Part of the reason why this Jinnah facebook page was so fascinating at the start was how it enlightened us with never-before-seen footage, facts and photos of Jinnah. How did you have access to them?

Faraz: I have been googling around a lot and gathering information. And I also have access to different archives through special permission due to my own research work.Also, I am thankful to the supporters who are constantly providing valuable information all the time. I would like to mention here Doc Kazi from Flickr, he has fine collection and my initial source for pictures. I am also working to get access of Jinnah’s law cases report from London & Bombay archives and in constant contact with them.

Me: What are your plans for Jinnah’s page for the future?

Faraz: At the moment we, as a team in Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi are under initial stage of understanding to create event on ground for Quaid-e-Azam. The website is also under development which you will see within this week, insha Allah.

I would like to invite all organizations and groups to come forward in creating awareness of ‘One Nation’ and ‘Jinnahism’. I am quite inspired by my friend Farhan Masood’s ‘Go Green’ idea. I am ready to provide support & promotion with the help of my teams to those who want to work for Pakistan.

Me: Thank you so much for taking out the time for the interview and for so nicely managing our Quaid’s facebook page.

Faraz: Thanks for your interest and appreciation regarding Quaid’s fan page.

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And that was it folks! Now you know about ‘that guy who runs the Quaid-i-Azam’s facebook page’.

So go ahead and become a fan of Muhammad Ali Jinnah on Facebook. You’ll be missing so much if you don’t.

As a Pakistani, I pray that Allah unites us; not as Punjabis, Pathans, Balochis or Sindhis OR Kashmiris but as Pakistanis for a prosperous Pakistan… the Pakistan which Iqbal dreamt of and Jinnah toiled day and night for.

PAKISTAN ZINDABAD!

Other Quaid-i-Azam/Pakistan posts on artsyHANDS

“Living in Pakistan(The Pakistan Song)” – an artsyHANDS Production

Us Magazine Publication! “A Quaid’s Dream”