Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Address to the Civil Servants in Peshawar [April, 1948]

The first thing that I want to tell you is
this, that you should not be influenced by any political pressure, by any
political party or individual politician. If you want to raise the prestige and
greatness of Pakistan, you must not fall a victim to any pressure, but do your
duty as servants to the people and the State, fearlessly and honestly. Service
is the backbone of the State. Governments are formed, governments are defeated,
Prime Ministers come and go. Ministers come and go, but you stay on, and,
therefore, there is a very great responsibility placed on your shoulders.
You should have no hand in supporting this
political party or that political party, this political leader or that
political leader – this is not your business. Whichever government is formed
according to the constitution, and whoever happens to be the prime minister or
minister coming into power in the ordinary constructional course, your duty is
not only to serve that government loyally and faithfully, but, at the same
time, fearlessly, maintaining your high reputation, your prestige, your honour
and the integrity of your service. If you will start with that determination,
you will make a great contribution to the building up of Pakistan, of your
conception and our dream – a glorious State and one of the greatest nations in
the world.