Architect of strong foreign policy
Zubair Qureshi
Chairman of the Nazriya Pakistan Council (NPC) Mian Muhammad Javed on Thursday paid rich tributes to Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s trusted companion and one of the prominent leaders of the Pakistan Movement, Shaheed-e-Millat Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan for his deep association and commitment to the movement for independence of Pakistan and his struggle as the first Prime Minister to make Pakistan economically and politically strong.
Mian Javed who presided over an event in connection with 71st death anniversary of Liaquat Ali Khan who was assassinated at public rally in Liaquat Bagh of Rawalpindi on Oct 16, 1951 said Liaquat Ali laid down the foundations for a strong Pakistan.
The ceremony was organized jointly by the NPC and the Margallah Scouts Open Group. NPC Chairman Mian Muhammad Javed quoted Quaid-e-Azam as saying, “In contrast to all the leaders of the Congress Party who are at the service of Gandhi to safeguard interests of the Hindus, Liaquat Ali Khan alone is enough for me to protect the Muslims’ rights.”
Mian Javed said Liaquat Ali Khan assumed the office as the first PM of Pakistan in quite difficult times when the country was facing daunting challenges on political, financial and social fronts. It was deprived of its lawful assets and the social, industrial and economic fabric was weak to hold the country together.
However, as Prime Minister of the country, Liaquat Ali within a period of two to three years orchestrated a strong Foreign Policy and laid down a network of industrial units across the country to provide a strong footing to the country’s economy.
Chief Guest at the ceremony, Dr Farhat Abbas expressed his delight to attend the death anniversary of a great patriot saying only those nations that are alive remember their heroes and keep referring to their achievements. He regretted that Liaquat Ali Khan was ‘punished’ by the international powers and their national facilitators for serving Pakistan. His murder is shrouded in mystery till this day. However, he said, Liaquat Ali Khan died for the sake of Pakistan but his name will never die and we shall keep paying him rich tributes for his great service to Pakistan. Rana Muhammad Akram, noted columnist, said it went to the credit of Liaquat Ali Khan that during his brief tenure, Pakistan’s Constituent Assembly passed the Objective Resolution which is considered of fundamental importance in shaping the nascent state of Pakistan.
Among those who attended and addressed the event include the names of the senior members of the NPC Executive Committee, Sen Razina Alam Khan, Dr Afzal Babar, noted writer Fareeda Hafiz, social and literary figure Naeem Fatima Alvi, Canada-based Pakistan intellectual Muhammad Abdullah, poet Naseem Sehr, Prof Nasir Mengal and Anjum Khaliq.Speakers highlighted Liaqat Ali Khan’s political foresight, spoke about his rich family background and his devotion to serve Pakistan.
