During our professional duties, we had the opportunity to interact with many individuals who had either seen and heard Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah in person or had some connection with him as the founder of Pakistan.
Among them was Khawaja Razi Haider, the former Director of the Quaid-e-Azam Academy, who attributed the acceptance of the 1947 partition to Quaid-e-Azam’s deteriorating health in 1948. It is said that he kept his medical condition hidden to prevent those opposing partition from advancing their agenda and potentially removing him from the scene.
– Former Chief Justice of the Federal Shariat Court, Justice (R) Haziq al-Khairi, revealed in his interview that he was influenced by Quaid-e-Azam in his legal career.
– Rafiuzaman Alzebari, former Controller of News at Radio Pakistan, took pride in joining the ‘Muslim League Youth’ and even had a memorable photograph taken with Quaid-e-Azam.
– Renowned journalist Ali Akhtar Rizvi (late) recounted in the ‘Sunday Express’ how he witnessed Quaid-e-Azam’s funeral from the office of ‘Nawa-e-Waqt’. He described how the funeral procession was pulled on a gun carriage by key figures including Khawaja Nazimuddin and Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar, and how locals willingly dismantled their huts to clear the path for the burial site.
– Former DG ISPR Brigadier (R) Abdul Rahman Siddiqui mentioned in an interview that he had the chance to see Quaid-e-Azam up close in April 1948 during a visit to Peshawar. Despite Quaid-e-Azam’s deteriorated health, his presence was so commanding that he was not easily able to make eye contact, although he appeared very frail.
– Former Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice (R) Wajiuddin Ahmed, shared in a recent interview that his grandfather believed Muslims would not benefit from the partition, but he was not against Pakistan or the Muslim League. He remembered the morning when they learned of Quaid-e-Azam’s death and felt sorrow but was confident that the country would be managed well by those succeeding him.
– Renowned broadcaster Badr Rizwan (late) shared his memories of meeting Quaid-e-Azam in Hyderabad in 1946, where he observed Quaid-e-Azam’s interaction during a legal case and his dignified behavior, including a notable incident involving extinguishing a cigarette.
– Former journalist and Professor of Mass Communication at Karachi University, Dr. Nisar Ahmed Zuberi, recounted his experience of reciting a poem in praise of Quaid-e-Azam at a Muslim League rally, and how his father rewarded him with a significant amount of money for his performance.
– Prominent researcher Dr. Raza Kazmi mentioned that on September 11, 1948, Quaid-e-Azam instructed his military secretary not to disclose his arrival, and an ambulance used to transport him had broken down. This event was misrepresented, but it was later revealed that Liaquat Ali Khan also arrived with a second ambulance.
– Journalist Nazir Khan (late) recalled his experience from around 1946 when he had the honor of escorting guests to Quaid-e-Azam’s room. Quaid-e-Azam’s warm interaction with children left a lasting impression on him.
– Veteran broadcaster Dr. Fareedullah Siddiqui, who was nine during the partition, remembered the slogans “Pakistan Zindabad” and “We will have Pakistan” from June 1947, including Quaid-e-Azam’s broadcast on All India Radio.
– Former provincial advisor Iqbal Yusuf stated that the British opposed making Karachi the capital due to their prediction that Hong Kong would fall out of their control in the next fifty years. The Viceroy suggested Lahore instead, but Quaid-e-Azam firmly decided that he would make the decision rather than take dictation.
These reflections offer a glimpse into the life and legacy of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, demonstrating the profound impact he had on those who interacted with him and the enduring significance of his leadership.