Like Farooq Azam and Saint Peter – the staunch followers and right hard-men of the two prophets, Liaquat Ali Khan was the right-hand men of the Quaid-e-Azam in politics.
He was the worthy lieutenant of Mr. Jinnah, the fathers of the nation. Quaid-e-Azam had great regard for and confidence in Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan. The two had been the strongest pillars of the Muslim League that won freedom for the Indian Muslims.
Liaquat Ali Khan was born in a Nawab family of Kernal, on 1st October 1895. Educated at the Muslim University Aligarh, the University of Oxford, and Inner Temple London, he practiced in India before dedicating himself to the Muslim cause. He was a fine orator of sincerity, an eloquent speaker and a popular man of the people. While Quaid-e-Azam worked on the table and fought on the political fronts, Liaquat went round the Indian provinces; toured into the interior, giving the message of Muslim League for freedom to the masses. He swayed the listeners by his forceful and moving speeches and lectures where-ever he went.
As an Honourary Secretary of All India Muslim League Liaquat, popularly known ‘Nawabzada’. worked selflessly and tirelessly for more than a decade before the creation of Pakistan. All over the sub-continent the Muslim masses loved and respected him. They gave him the title Quaid-e-Millat. People generally floaded after him and, at times, lifted him on their shoulders. The Nawabzada had great compassion for the sufferings of his people. He became the first Prime Minister of Pakistan after Partition and steered the ship of the country with great ability through her early years of trial and tribulations. [the_ad id=”17141″]
After the early departure of father of the nation, Quaide-Millat infused new hopes and spirit among the dejected people. It was Liaquat who introduced Pakistan to the Western World through number of lectures, not as a Prime Minister of the country, but as her humble servant. When India cowardly attacked Hyderabad Daccan, the largest Muslim State Liaqat pacified the demonstrators by showing his “Mukka” (closed fist) – Symbol of determination and unity of the Nation. Liaquat was sober and patient by nature. He never played with the feelings and sentiments of the people like the present politicians. He was composed, courageous and daring in time of difficulties.
In the mammoth meeting of the Muslim League on 14th August 1951 at Jahangir Park, the great but humble Liaqaut declared: “If there be need of blood for Pakistan, Liaquat’s blood shall also be mixed with it. He justified it practically. He was going to make an epoch-making speech on the Islamic Objective Resolution (on the constitution). when he fell an innocent victim to the cruel assassinator’s bullet at Rawalpindi. He had hardly begun his speech when he was shot at from close quarters. He died on the lap of his loving Secretary Nawbzada Siddiq Ali Khan on 16th October 1951. The last words on his tongue were: ‘May God protect Pakistan’. The Shaheed-e-Millat is buried by the side of his great Quaid at Karachi.
The Nawabzada had left behind a legacy of some old clothes and a bank balance of Rs.59/=. No property, no house, no money! He was really great and noble.