Liaquat Ali Khan’s 75th death anniversary observed in Lahore

LAHORE: A special session was held at the Aiwan-e-Karkunan-e-Tehreek-e-Pakistan in Lahore on the 75th death anniversary of Liaquat Ali Khan, Pakistan’s first prime minister and a prominent leader of the Pakistan Movement. The session was chaired by Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum, vice chairman of the Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust and president of the Ex-Servicemen Society. A delegation from the People’s Republic of China attended as special guests.

Gen (retd) Abdul Qayyum said Liaquat Ali Khan was a golden chapter in the country’s history, and the history of Pakistan was incomplete without mention of him. He said Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan led the Muslims of the subcontinent in the Pakistan Movement, and Pakistan came into being through their tireless efforts. He said the seed had been sown, and now everyone had to nurture the tree together.

Views of the speakers

Prof Abid Sherwani, a member of the Board of Governors of the Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust, said Liaquat Ali Khan was a man of the highest character and sacrificed everything he had for Pakistan. He said Liaquat Ali Khan received a higher education and became a trusted associate of the Quaid-i-Azam. He added that setting up Wah Ordnance for defence needs after the creation of Pakistan was among his great achievements.

Liaquat Ali Khan’s nephew, Nawab Farhad Ali Khan, said it was extremely important to inform the new generation about the thoughts, ideas, lives and services of the leaders of the Pakistan Movement. He said Liaquat Ali Khan was a selfless man. He owned vast property in India, but did not file any claim after coming to Pakistan. He said Liaquat Ali Khan had said that he would not file his claim until the last migrant had been settled here.

Rana Muhammad Arshad, chief whip of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz in the Punjab Assembly, paid tribute to the Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust for regularly observing the days of national heroes. He said that after winning the 1945-46 elections, Liaquat Ali Khan became finance minister of united India. He said the budget he presented is called the budget of the poor man.

Prof Dr Parveen Khan, convener of the Madar-e-Millat Centre, said Liaquat Ali Khan was the right-hand man of the Quaid-i-Azam. She said he persuaded the Quaid to return to India and lead the Muslims of the subcontinent. She said the Quaid returned on his advice.

Educationist Prof Sharafat Ali Khan said the passage of the Objectives Resolution after the creation of Pakistan was a great achievement of Liaquat Ali Khan’s tenure. He said the resolution recognises Almighty Allah as the supreme sovereign and remains a guiding light today.

Prof Halima Sadia said Liaquat Ali Khan remained concerned for the country and the nation until his last breath, and even at the end he had a prayer for Pakistan on his lips. Educationist Shahid Mehmood said his memory was still alive and the spirit of the nation was still among the people.

Imran Gul, secretary of the Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust, said Liaquat Ali Khan was a towering leader of the Pakistan Movement. He said the Quaid-i-Azam called him his right-hand man, made him secretary of the All-India Muslim League and named him Pakistan’s first prime minister. At the time of his martyrdom, his last words were: “May Allah protect Pakistan.”

Muhammad Saifullah Chaudhry, secretary of the Tehreek-e-Pakistan Workers Trust, said Liaquat Ali Khan rendered unforgettable services to the Pakistan Movement and later to the building of Pakistan. He said his excellent policies greatly helped the newborn state to stand on its feet.

Additional Secretary of the Nazaria-e-Pakistan Trust Mujahid Hussain Syed, Samina Bushra, teachers, students and people from various walks of life attended the programme in large numbers.