Jinnah of Pakistan
Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan
(1895-1951)
Quaid-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan was Pakistan's first Prime Minister. Born into a wealthy family in 1895, Liaquat Ali Khan was
educated at the MAO College, 
and also studied at Allahabad and Oxford universities before becoming a barrister in London in 1922.
In 1923 he returned to India and joined the All-India Muslim League, which became the main political party representing Muslims in
India before independence. From 1926 to 1940 Liaquat Ali Khan held a variety of positions in local politics, working closely with
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah. He helped persuade Jinnah to return to India from London in 1933 and was acknowledged as
Jinnah's "right hand" from 1943. From 1940 onwards he worked to popularize the "Pakistan Resolution" around India and to build
support for an independent Pakistan, separate from India. 
He was closely involved in the negotiations over the form of independence
to be granted to India after World War II and was Finance Minister in the Interim Government of 1946-1947. Liaquat Ali Khan was the
obvious choice to become Prime Minister of independent Pakistan in 1947 and became the country's senior leader after the death of
Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in 1948. His period in office was marked by difficult relations with Hindustan, following the
Indo-Pakistan War of 1947-1948, but also did much to define and consolidate the new state both internationally and domestically. It
was Liaquat who drafted the "Objectives Resolution" of 1949 that charted a course for the country. He did not, however, go far enough
in satisfying religious extremists who wanted to base laws on the Qur'an and was assassinated in 1951, in circumstances which are still
obscure.
Statements by Liaquat Ali Khan during tour of USA, May 1950
"We Muslims believe in God and His supreme sovereignty. In one of the large towns of Pakistan is an educational
institution, built by some God-fearing people from your country. In the entrance hall is a marble tablet and on it are the words 'Except
the Lord build the House, they Labour in vain that build it.' That is exactly what we believe, whether we build a house or a state."
Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan - Explaining the ideology of Pakistan
"I can do it in one sentence. A man goes out to distribute charity in the streets and finds no one to
recieve charity... Islam believes in the right of private ownership and individual enterprise, but it does not encourage concentration
of unearned wealth in few hands."
Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan - Explaining to the American Audience the meaning of 'Islamic Socialism'
"In Kashmir this is our main grievance - two years have elapsed and the date of the plebiscite is not yet within
sight. Pakistan has been willing to arrive at a peaceful and just settlement through negotiation or mediation or, failing both, through
arbitration... But to force and coercion we shall never submit."
Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan - On Kashmir
I suddenly see the United States of America as an island - a fabulously prosperous island where God has showered
His plenty - but nevertheless an island. And round this island I see the unhealthy sea of misery, poverty and squalor, in which millions
of human beings are trying to keep their heads above water. At such moments I fear for this great nation as one fears for a dear friend.
With monotonous reiteration during my days in America, I have appealed for international co-operation. Some may have thought I was asking
for charity. I only ask for the help of the more experienced countries to put our own men to work, and make our own resources yield their
wealth."
Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan - On America
Statement by Vice-President Allen S. Barkely, May 1950
"We have had many guests who have addressed the senate of the United States. I would not wish to draw any
comparisons except to say that no address has been more inspiring, more appreciated than this one delivered by the new Prime Minister
of a new free country."
Pakistan's PM left a favourable impression on Vice-President Barkely after addressing the US Senate
Images of Liaquat Ali Khan's tour of USA, May 1950
| Click image | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |