Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi hosted a commemorative event for “Liaquat Day” at the Josh Malihabadi Library, honoring the legacy of Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan. The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Masuma Hassan, with Dr. Muhammad Raza Kazmi serving as the chief guest. Among the speakers were Sarosh Lodi, Ghulam Mohiuddin, Mazhar Abbas, Dr. Arshad Rizvi, and Liaquat Ali Khan’s granddaughter, Samia Akbar Liaquat.
The event opened with a short play portraying the life of Liaquat Ali Khan, performed by DaniyaObaid, Bushra Jahangir, and Areeba Faisal, captivating the audience. KinzaLiaquat also delivered a brief speech on the leader’s contributions to the nation.
Dr. Masuma Hassan reflected on the negativity expressed during the speeches, particularly from young attendees. She argued against the notion that Pakistan has never advanced, pointing out that while today’s political leadership may lack vision, Liaquat Ali Khan was a remarkable leader who held the country together after Quaid-e-Azam’s death. Despite doubts about the nation’s survival, Pakistan endures. She expressed that no leader like Liaquat Ali Khan has emerged since. Dr. Muhammad Raza Kazmi highlighted the unresolved mystery surrounding Liaquat Ali Khan’s assassination, noting that the nation’s failure to recognize its leaders has contributed to its decline. He emphasized the importance of remembering the leaders who shaped Pakistan’s early history.
Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas remarked that conspiracies have plagued Pakistan since its inception, and decades later, the circumstances surrounding Liaquat Ali Khan’s assassination remain unclear. He suggested that both internal and external forces were involved. Abbas noted that Pakistan’s foundation was rooted in democracy, but over time, the truth of its history has been obscured.
Dr. Arshad Rizvi stated that after Pakistan’s creation, both Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Liaquat Ali Khan were targeted, with freedom of expression severely restricted following the latter’s death. He stressed that Quaid-e-Azam believed deeply in constitutional principles, but the country’s political freedoms were curtailed after Liaquat Ali Khan’s assassination. Ghulam Mohiuddin observed that attempts to tarnish Liaquat Ali Khan’s legacy began soon after the nation’s birth.
