Zulfikar Mirza’s venomous statement
Ambassador’s Diary
Dr Samiullah Koreshi
Monday, July 18, 2011 - Although ruling circles would like to put Zulfikhar Mirza’s statement under the rug that the Muhajirs were what he said paupers, naked and famished when they came to Sindh), (on partition of India in 1947) and at that time Sindh gave them shelter. He tried to paint the Muhajirs as poorest of the poor to whom Sindh gave shelter in 1947. I still feel that this wild statement should be commented upon at length, as this is a feeling which quite often manifests itself from time to time in some circles. My family was among the Muhajirs who fled from their home in Delhi to Karachi in October 1947.I witnessed all the holocaust which made the Indian Muslims run for their lives to Pakistan after our homes were ransacked, localities put on fire, men, women children butchered and hell was let lose on Muslims of Delhi, North India, East Punjab and Bihar. Our house was ransacked like no one ever lived in it, neighboring Muslims houses were burnt their inmates put to sword by kirpan swaying mobs. He need read “India wins Freedom” by Maulana Abul Kalam Azad stating that Gandhiji kept fast unto death – in which he was killed by a fanatic Hindu, Godse, - demanding that the atrocities on Delhi Muslims should stop and they be brought back to their abandoned homes. Why we the Hindustani Musulmans were looted , children, women old people were put to death by fanatic Hindu mobs? Because we supported creation of Pakistan while we were from that part of India where Muslims were in minority and still solidly voted for creation of Pakistan in the 1946 General Elections. Without this unanimity Pakistan would not have been created.
If our home were not burnt, in our case, we had not the slightest idea of coming to Pakistan in 1947. Muslims of Delhi and Agra considered themselves as an embodiment of the glorious past of Muslim History, the most cultured, the most sophisticated society in India. As Urdu’s famous poet Mir has said “ Delli jo ek shahr tha alam main intikhab, rahtey they muntakhib he jahan rozgar key, Jis ko falak ney loot kar wiran kar diya Ham rahney waley hen usi diyar kay .” .
We did not arrive in Pakistan on our own decision after the partition of India in 1947, we were thrown out from India by fanatic Hindus mobs. Zulfikhar Mirza’s statement shows that the Muhajirs came to Sind seeking shelter, like those who went to US, Canada or U.K for greener pastures.. Had Hindustani Musalmans not voted for Pakistan, no Pakistan could have been created. .Muslim areas after areas were subjected to arson, one million Hindustani Musalmans, men, women, children, were put to death, 80,000 women were abducted by mobs, children were cut into pieces – entire Muslim localities, after localities met the same fate in north, eastern and central India, East Punjab was got cleared of Muslims, 7 million Minority Muslims were made to flee from India, etc. Our “crime” was that we solidly supported creation of Pakistan.
Not only we gave sacrifices in lives – Hindustani Musalmans also sacrificed their wealth, cultural heritages, and famous educational centers, We sacrificed the wealthiest Muslim States of Hyderabad, Rampur, Junagarh, etc. Nizam Hyderabad was not only one of the richest man in the world, but perhaps at the time of independence of Pakistan, his State was richer than all the native States in West Pakistan plus West Pakistan of that time. Hyderabad was more like a rich kingdom. On Independence, when Pakistan was bankrupt, after India stopped transfer of Pak’s share from the Reserve Bank of India, Hyderabad gave money to Pakistan and some of its gold was flown to Pakistan by two dauntless pilots. The first frigate/destroyer of Pakistan Navy, Zukfikar, was a gift of the Ruler of Rampur State ( in North India.). Raja of Mahmooudabad, a Taluqadar of Oudh, who was a leader of Pakistan Movement , came to Pakistan, became penniless went to London worked as Director Pakistan Center, and died there penniless; Abdu Sattar Seth a business magnate of Madras, who financed A I M L , came to Pakistan, was sent as Pak Ambassdor to Cairo, died pauper in a flat in Burns Road Karachi ; daily the Dawn published his pathetic photo of death in that flat. Ruler of Junagarh State, acceded to Pakistan, sought refuge in Karachi, his heir are living on petty privy purse in Karachi.. Benazr’s grand father Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto was in Junagarh’s service as his states’ Dewan or chef Administrator; Governor General Ghualm Mohammed had been in Hyderabad’s service, Sr Zafrullah Khan later Pak Foreign Minister , in Bhopal’s service.
Anybody differing from my statements can consult the District and Regional “Gazetteers” written by the British administration in pre-Independence days which give copious details of the rich, the mighty and the most prominent people of those areas. In business the only rich Muslim business magnate were Sir Adamji, banker Habib ( of Habib Bank) and Bombay and Calcutta business men the Memons, Khojas, Bohras, Agha Khanis and leather magnates of Kanpur (UP). No bloody communal riots took place in their areas. Yet to make the country of their dreams, Pakistan rich, and competitive with India eventually , they transferred their businesses to Karachi. Had they not come to Pakistan, Karachi would not have become hub of Pakistan’s economy. The role of these Hindustani Musalmans, and after that of Chinutees of Punjab was pivotal and even now if they leave Karachi for any country, they will be welcomed with open arms anywhere, Karachi’s industry would come to stand still.
In education the biggest Muslim institutions were in India, Aligarh Muslim University, Usmaina University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Deoband, Nadwa, etc. The spread of education among Hindustani Mussalmans , men and women, was highest in India. Lahore and Muslims of Jullundur were other educated communities. William Darlymple in his book “ TheLast Mughal” writes that Delhi had the largest number of educational institutions on the eastern side of the Suez at the time of the Mutiny in 1857.
The contribution of these “Muhajirs” to Pakistan’s economy, industry, education is not insignificant. It has been very condescendingly said that where ever the Muhajirs are in Pakistan they are Pakistani, but the fact is that the “Muhajirs” were co-partners in the movement for creating Pakistan. It is a blow on Pakistanism. I worked in Muslim Students Federation from the age of 17.. Therefore, I resented Zulfikhar Mirza’s statement.
It s most unfortunate that this time the two groups who were mainly involved in the so-called ethnic clashes were the Pakhtuns and the “Muhajirs” . Both are Pakistani people. Karachi is big enough to give all its inhabitants opportunity to earn living. I have great admiration for the Pakhtuns who are brave, called “Sword Arm” of Pakistan, honest, open hearted and most hospitable persons. We can look at New York which absorbs all kind of heterogeneous people which has made New York so prosperous that it is richer than many countries .
However, let me conclude my comments with a couplet:
If our home were not burnt, in our case, we had not the slightest idea of coming to Pakistan in 1947. Muslims of Delhi and Agra considered themselves as an embodiment of the glorious past of Muslim History, the most cultured, the most sophisticated society in India. As Urdu’s famous poet Mir has said “ Delli jo ek shahr tha alam main intikhab, rahtey they muntakhib he jahan rozgar key, Jis ko falak ney loot kar wiran kar diya Ham rahney waley hen usi diyar kay .” .
We did not arrive in Pakistan on our own decision after the partition of India in 1947, we were thrown out from India by fanatic Hindus mobs. Zulfikhar Mirza’s statement shows that the Muhajirs came to Sind seeking shelter, like those who went to US, Canada or U.K for greener pastures.. Had Hindustani Musalmans not voted for Pakistan, no Pakistan could have been created. .Muslim areas after areas were subjected to arson, one million Hindustani Musalmans, men, women, children, were put to death, 80,000 women were abducted by mobs, children were cut into pieces – entire Muslim localities, after localities met the same fate in north, eastern and central India, East Punjab was got cleared of Muslims, 7 million Minority Muslims were made to flee from India, etc. Our “crime” was that we solidly supported creation of Pakistan.
Not only we gave sacrifices in lives – Hindustani Musalmans also sacrificed their wealth, cultural heritages, and famous educational centers, We sacrificed the wealthiest Muslim States of Hyderabad, Rampur, Junagarh, etc. Nizam Hyderabad was not only one of the richest man in the world, but perhaps at the time of independence of Pakistan, his State was richer than all the native States in West Pakistan plus West Pakistan of that time. Hyderabad was more like a rich kingdom. On Independence, when Pakistan was bankrupt, after India stopped transfer of Pak’s share from the Reserve Bank of India, Hyderabad gave money to Pakistan and some of its gold was flown to Pakistan by two dauntless pilots. The first frigate/destroyer of Pakistan Navy, Zukfikar, was a gift of the Ruler of Rampur State ( in North India.). Raja of Mahmooudabad, a Taluqadar of Oudh, who was a leader of Pakistan Movement , came to Pakistan, became penniless went to London worked as Director Pakistan Center, and died there penniless; Abdu Sattar Seth a business magnate of Madras, who financed A I M L , came to Pakistan, was sent as Pak Ambassdor to Cairo, died pauper in a flat in Burns Road Karachi ; daily the Dawn published his pathetic photo of death in that flat. Ruler of Junagarh State, acceded to Pakistan, sought refuge in Karachi, his heir are living on petty privy purse in Karachi.. Benazr’s grand father Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto was in Junagarh’s service as his states’ Dewan or chef Administrator; Governor General Ghualm Mohammed had been in Hyderabad’s service, Sr Zafrullah Khan later Pak Foreign Minister , in Bhopal’s service.
Anybody differing from my statements can consult the District and Regional “Gazetteers” written by the British administration in pre-Independence days which give copious details of the rich, the mighty and the most prominent people of those areas. In business the only rich Muslim business magnate were Sir Adamji, banker Habib ( of Habib Bank) and Bombay and Calcutta business men the Memons, Khojas, Bohras, Agha Khanis and leather magnates of Kanpur (UP). No bloody communal riots took place in their areas. Yet to make the country of their dreams, Pakistan rich, and competitive with India eventually , they transferred their businesses to Karachi. Had they not come to Pakistan, Karachi would not have become hub of Pakistan’s economy. The role of these Hindustani Musalmans, and after that of Chinutees of Punjab was pivotal and even now if they leave Karachi for any country, they will be welcomed with open arms anywhere, Karachi’s industry would come to stand still.
In education the biggest Muslim institutions were in India, Aligarh Muslim University, Usmaina University, Jamia Millia Islamia, Deoband, Nadwa, etc. The spread of education among Hindustani Mussalmans , men and women, was highest in India. Lahore and Muslims of Jullundur were other educated communities. William Darlymple in his book “ TheLast Mughal” writes that Delhi had the largest number of educational institutions on the eastern side of the Suez at the time of the Mutiny in 1857.
The contribution of these “Muhajirs” to Pakistan’s economy, industry, education is not insignificant. It has been very condescendingly said that where ever the Muhajirs are in Pakistan they are Pakistani, but the fact is that the “Muhajirs” were co-partners in the movement for creating Pakistan. It is a blow on Pakistanism. I worked in Muslim Students Federation from the age of 17.. Therefore, I resented Zulfikhar Mirza’s statement.
It s most unfortunate that this time the two groups who were mainly involved in the so-called ethnic clashes were the Pakhtuns and the “Muhajirs” . Both are Pakistani people. Karachi is big enough to give all its inhabitants opportunity to earn living. I have great admiration for the Pakhtuns who are brave, called “Sword Arm” of Pakistan, honest, open hearted and most hospitable persons. We can look at New York which absorbs all kind of heterogeneous people which has made New York so prosperous that it is richer than many countries .
However, let me conclude my comments with a couplet:
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