Addressing a press conference at the Arts Council Pakistan, Liaqat Merchant highlighted the society's plans for 2018, which include Jinnah Awards being conferred on three individuals who have rendered outstanding services to Pakistan, to set up a Jinnah Chair at the University of Karachi, and to publish the revised Deluxe Edition of "Quotes from the Quaid," a compilation of quotations culled from Jinnah's life's work of Jinnah, a concept for guidance and nation-building in collaboration with Oxford University Press. "Following of Quaid's vision would not help bring unity and nation-building but also encourage the development of statesmanship." he Merchant said.
He pointed out that the Jinnah Society was established on April 23 1997 with intention of propagating the mission, work and achievements of Jinnah as a focal point to achieve national unity and solidarity among Pakistanis. "A nation which forgets its founding fathers and moves away from their vision is likely to end up as a failed State", he added. However, he said in 2017, a significant resurgence of interest in Jinnah and the concept of Jinnah's Pakistan was noticed." Earlier, Ameena Saiyid, secretary general of the Jinnah Society, said that the first edition of "Quotes from the Quaid" was published by Oxford University Press in August 2007 to celebrate Pakistan's 60th independence anniversary.
As many as 100,000 copies were distributed free by the OUP to schools and colleges across Pakistan, with the purpose of creation of awareness among Pakistani youths about the Quaid's vision. journalist Ghazi Salahuddin said that the Quaid-e-Azam's vision was of a progressive Pakistan with prevalence of democracy in its true spirit. His message was faith, unity and discipline. "But unfortunately we are deviating from the Quaid's vision," he said. "Implementation of Jinnah's vision in Pakistan is as required as a lifesaving drug does for a patient." The former governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Ashraf Wathra, said that the country is facing immense challenges ranging from politics to national economy and from governance to statesmanship. The only way to overcome the challenges is that the entire nation has to stick to the philosophy of Jinnah.