Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan
and the first Governor General of Pakistan, was born on 25th December 1876 in
Karachi, Sindh Province, British India. His parent's name were Ratanbai Petit
and Mithibai Jinnah. He was their eldest son and had three siblings - two
brothers (Muhammad Sharif and Ahmad Ali) and one sister (Shireen). His father
was a prosperous merchant of Sindhi origin while his mother belonged to a
wealthy Parsi family of Karachi.
Early Life & Education
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah was born on 25th December
1876 in Karachi. He received his early education at the Sindh Madressatul Islam
and then went to England for higher studies. He was called to the Bar from
Lincoln’s Inn in 1896. On his return to India, he started practicing law at
Karachi.
He came into contact with Indian National Congress but later
on, he joined All India Muslim League. His political career started with the
struggle for independence of India from British rule. He also played an
important role in the establishment of Pakistan. As a leader of a free nation,
he believed that this country should be defended with all its might against
foreign aggression. To attain freedom, Muslims must first think nationally, act
nationally and strive together towards the common goal. Partition Plan could
not satisfy his demand for Pakistan which resulted in civil war and finally got
partitioned between two dominions viz., Hindu majority India and Muslim
majority Pakistan. The Nation lost one third of its population (5 million)
during this process because Hindus & Sikhs left for their respective
countries while Muslims left their ancestral homeland to start life afresh
amidst many difficulties facing them especially language and cultural barriers.
As a Barrister
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was born on December 25th,
1876, at Vazeer Mansion Karachi, to a prosperous merchant family. He received
his early education at the Sindh Madressatul Islam and the Christian Mission
School. In 1892 he went to England to study law. He was called to the Bar from
Lincoln's Inn in 1896. After his return from England, he started practising law
at Karachi. There he met Lillian izzat who later became his wife. She also
shared her husband’s social concerns and ambitions. Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali
Jinnah joined the Indian National Congress which gave him an opportunity to
become one of its chief organizers. He took over responsibility for different
parts of India – Bombay, Bihar, Gujarat etc., besides many other administrative
duties. However, by this time, Jinnah had realized that Muslims could not hope
to attain their cherished goal unless they were united under one banner. His
role in uniting the Muslims of India led naturally to his leading them in
politics too. As the president of Muslim League at large, he toured extensively
all over India laying emphasis on Muslim issues and trying to convince Hindus
and Sikhs about their separate nationalities. But then came Cripps Scheme
followed by The New Awakening with slogans like Unity through Federalism or
United States of Hindustan with Nehru stressing Hindu culture and language as
vital components of national identity - both meant to overwhelm Muslims; so
these two events proved decisive factors in turning Jinnah towards independence
without unity rather than unity without independence.
Marriage
On September 3, 1938, at the age of forty-six, he married
his second wife, Maryam Baigum. The Quaid’s last message to his countrymen was:
With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing
worthwhile that you cannot achieve. After the marriage, the Muslim League was
reorganized under his leadership. The struggle for a constitutional assembly
turned into a battle for independence. He never saw the fulfillment of his
life’s mission in freedom from British rule. In 1947 he became the first
Governor General and President of newly created state, Pakistan. He died on
September 11th 1948 in Karachi, Sindh Province while addressing an election
rally when people were celebrating Independence Day with him. His message had
always been With faith and discipline we can get anything we want!
First Leader of Muslim League
Jinnah was the first leader of the Muslim League, a
political party that fought for the rights of Indian Muslims. He is also known
for his role in the constitutional struggle against British rule in India.
Jinnah's efforts culminated in the creation of Pakistan, a Muslim-majority
nation, in 1947. The Quaid's last message to his people was: Work earnestly for
peace within and without. I am well aware of the fact that the vast majority of
our countrymen are moderate, law-abiding citizens who believe in peaceful
coexistence with their fellow men; but at the same time I cannot ignore the
fact that there is an extremist minority which has always sought to take
advantage of conditions which can only lead our country towards anarchy and
chaos. The safety and security of our borders must be ensured at all costs for
we have nothing to fear from the external world but everything from internal
disorder.
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s Message while the General
Secretary of the All-India Muslim League on the 21st March 1948 in Lahore
(Pakistan):
The formation of the sovereign state now called Pakistan
solves a twofold problem. It gives Muslims autonomy, sufficient unto
themselves; and secondly it relieves India forever from the danger of imminent
dismemberment. I want to tell you that this war is not going to end here. The
distress occasioned by past wars will surely come again if both parties start
yet another war... I would ask my Hindu friends to form Hindu Regiment's so
that they may share responsibility with other communities.
Resolution for creation of Pakistan passed on March 23rd 1940
The Muslim League passed the resolution for the creation of
Pakistan on March 23rd 1940. This was a momentous achievement for Quaid-e-Azam
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who had dedicated his life to the cause of Muslim rights
and the establishment of an independent Muslim state. The Quaid’s last message
to the nation called on all Pakistanis to work hard to make Pakistan a
prosperous and progressive nation. His words continue to inspire us today and
remind us of our duty to build a strong and prosperous Pakistan. There is no
doubt that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah has been the greatest leader this
country has ever seen. The Quaid spent 42 years in public service and died at
the age of 71.
Creation of Pakistan Day on 23rd March 1947
Pakistan Day is celebrated on 23rd March every year to
commemorate the historic day when the founding father of the nation,
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, gave his famous speech at the Constituent
Assembly. On this day, we remember and pay tribute to the great man who
single-handedly led us to freedom and made Pakistan a reality. The Quaid’s last
message to the people of Pakistan was one of unity and brotherhood, and it is
this message that we must always keep in mind as we move forward as a nation.
Let us all pledge on this Pakistan Day to work together for the betterment of
our beloved country. The Quaid’s last Message:
Ours is the duty to be the servants of these masses, and
provide them with leadership by which they can be led onward towards progress. If
we are not their servants today, then how shall they become free? They cannot
even become free themselves. Ours is the duty to give them that freedom which
we have found ourselves unable to obtain through generations of slavery and
servitude. It has been left for us now, by providence or otherwise; let us not
fail in it now that the opportunity has come!
The quaid's last Message: Let Us All Pledge On This Pakistan
Day To Work Together For The Betterment Of Our Beloved Country.
Federation of Pakistan
The establishment of the Federation of Pakistan was the
greatest achievement of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The federation was a
momentous event in the history of the Muslims of South Asia. It was the result
of his far-sightedness, his political sagacity, his statesmanship and his
single-minded devotion to the cause of Muslim unity. The Quaid’s last message
to his people was: With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there
is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve. You are free; you are free to go
to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or any other place of
worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or
creed that has nothing whatsoever to do with the business of the state. As
citizens of the State of Pakistan all are equal and entitled to equal
protection by law. The State shall make no distinction between the citizens on
the grounds only of religion, race, language or sex. The State shall not
discriminate against any citizen on the ground of only being a woman nor shall
it be biased against them on account of their marital status. No citizen will
be deprived either of her life or personal liberty except according to
procedure established by law. The democracy which the Quaid wanted for us is one
where every individual is guaranteed fundamental rights without discrimination
because it is through the protection of these rights that democracy provides
for stability and progress within its borders as well as peace among nations
outside them.
Objectives Resolution Passed on March 12th 1949
The Objectives Resolution was a historic document that
outlined the principles of the new Pakistani state. It was passed on March
12th, 1949 and is considered one of the most important achievements of
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The resolution declared that Islam would be
the state religion and that minorities would be given equal rights. It also
outlined the principles of democracy, social justice and equality. The
Objectives Resolution is a reminder of the Quaid’s vision for Pakistan and his
commitment to creating a just and equitable society. The Quaid's last Message:
I have run my race. I am looking forward to the next world.
The story behind the words - Written by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
(2nd Prime Minister of Pakistan)
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah died shortly after midnight
on August 11th 1948 at age 71 in Karachi. He had spent much of the past two
years bedridden with high fever caused by malaria he contracted in 1947 while
campaigning in the North West Frontier Province against local Pashtun tribesmen
who resisted joining Pakistan after partition from India. His last words were:
I have run my race; I am looking forward to the next world.
Freedom Struggle Against India
The Quaid’s last message to the people of Pakistan was to
continue the freedom struggle against India. He said that the Muslims of India
had achieved their goal of a separate homeland, but the struggle was not over.
The Quaid urged the people of Pakistan to remain united and work hard to make
their new country a success. He also called on them to protect the rights of
minorities and ensure that everyone had equal opportunities. Let us build up
the structure of our democratic state, so that no one may be in any doubt about
the intentions and purpose for which we have taken this great step forward, he
said. Let us hold fast to the principles of tolerance, mutual respect for all
faiths and coexistence with our neighbours. We must strive together for the
good name of Islam in the world at large. Let our constitution embody social
justice – such is the demand of Islam – but this should not lead us into
socialism or communism which would create dictatorship by destroying democracy.
From Governor General to Prime Minister
Jinnah’s brilliant career began when he was nominated by the
British government to the Indian Legislative Council in 1910. He soon joined
the Indian National Congress, but later parted ways with them due to their
stand on self-government. In 1913, he founded the All India Muslim League,
which fought for the rights of Muslims in India. After years of struggle, the
Quaid was successful in leading his people to the creation of a separate
homeland, Pakistan. He became its first Governor General and later its Prime
Minister. The Quaid’s last message to his people was: With faith, discipline
and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot
achieve. The future belongs to the young and it is for us to give the right
direction; create an atmosphere where they can grow up along the right lines.
Let us make the next 50 years free from any kind of terror or violence. The
progress we have made during this past year should be sustained at any cost, so
that we could take giant strides forward and reap greater rewards. We have time
enough before us; let us live together in peace – the Quaid’s last Message to
the people of Pakistan.
The Quaid also had a humanitarian side to him, especially
towards the poor, who were mostly Muslim. He paid special attention to the
welfare of women, children and other oppressed sections of society. When riots
broke out in Calcutta (now Kolkata) over the accession of the former princely
state of Jammu & Kashmir to India or Pakistan, he put forth all efforts to
stop the communal violence between Hindus and Muslims. As far back as 1944,
while still leader of the opposition in the central legislature, his dedication
towards human equality led him to demand measures against discrimination based
on caste and creed.
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