By Yasser Latif Hamdani
Last week (February 6) marked the 114th Birthday of one of Pakistan’s greatest unsung heroes. Once again, there was no mention of commemoration of his remarkable like. No sense of gratitude from a nation for which he did so much. He has been wiped out of our memory because he was an Ahmadi, despite his glorious contributions to Pakistan and its cause (see related post on Dr. Abdul Salam).
Sir Zafrullah Khan’s services rendered to Muslims of India, Pakistan and the Third World are second only to that of Quaid-e-Azam Mahomed Ali Jinnah. As a jurist, a diplomat and a patriot he stood head and shoulders above the lesser men who have made a mockery of our republic.
Born in 1893 in Sialkot in what was to become one of the earliest Ahmaddiya households, this small town boy rose to be one of the shrewdest legal minds of his time. His early education was in Sialkot, after which he proceeded to Lahore for his bachelors degree, under the tutelage of none other than the great Iqbal himself. He got his law degree from King’s College London in 1914, where he stood top of his class and was the first person from the Indian subcontinent to do so. He was, like most great figures of that time, called to bar at Lincoln’s Inn.
As a practicing lawyer, he soon proved his mettle and had many reported cases to his name. The first major politician to recognize Zafrullah’s talents was Sir Fazli Hussain, the founder of Unionist Party of Punjab. Starting his career in his early 30s as a member of the Punjab legislative Council, he rose to prominence as an indefatigable crusader for Muslims of Punjab. Later he represented the Muslims at round table conference and crossed swords with figures like Jinnah and Gandhi. In 1931, he became the Muslim League president and at the roundtable conference, he cornered no less a person than Churchill in a committee hearing who was forced to accept Zafrullah’s point of view.
Later he was offered a seat on Viceroy’s permanent Council, which he took to further his cause. He also served at varying times as the minister of Railways, Public works, labour and law under the Viceroy. For a brief period, he also became British India’s representative to the League of Nations, just before it was dissolved.
However his greatest contribution came when he drafted the famous Lahore Resolution, which till this day is the rallying point of Pakistan and Pakistani nationalism. He had been tasked with finding a common point between the popular demand for “Pakistan” and Muslim League’s all India requirements. The Lahore resolution was a broad based solution which left the door virtually open for several solutions and negotiation on the issue of partition. In essence it envisaged 2 or 3 great republics for the Muslim peoples and it was this document which forms the basis not just of Pakistan but also of Bangladesh. For this he got a lot of slack. No less a person than Khan Abdul Wali Khan highlighted Zafrullah’s religious belief to play on the popular conspiracy theory that holds Ahmadis to be British touts.
Later from 1942 onwards, he served as a federal judge (equivalent of an Supreme court C judge) of India and finally took leave on the eve of Pakistan to serve the cause of Pakistan before the Radcliffe Commission, on Jinnah’s personal request. On 25th December 1947, Jinnah appointed him the Foreign Minister of Pakistan. At the UN, Sir Zafrullah emerged as the most eloquent advocate of all third world and Islamic issues. It was Zafrullah whose efforts materialized into the UN Resolutions on Kashmir, which are the basis of the Pakistani case and grievance. Later he became the first Asian president of the International Court of Justice, a singular and unique honor for any Pakistani. He also served, briefly, as the President of the UN General Assembly. He passed away in September of 1983 in Lahore.
A prolific author on the history of Pakistan and Islam, his most famous book was titled “Agony of Pakistan” in which he makes plain the great betrayal which wrested the country from the hands of its patriots into the hands of those who were its greatest enemies. Ironically, today Jinnah’s most trusted lieutenant is not even remembered by the state which owes him so much, including its own founding document. It is the memory of people like Zafrullah Khan that will keep alive the original idea of Pakistan and there is no doubt that one day the posterity will reclaim its true destiny as a progressive and modern republic.
Yasser Latif Hamdani is a lawyer in Lahore and a researcher of the history of the Pakistan Movement.
I didn’t know much about Sir Zafarullah Khan & this article was pretty infornative. I also see that the discussion has diverted towards ahmadiya movement.I don’t have any problem with ahmadies, some of my best friends are ahmadies. We are ofcourse very intolorant society when it comes to the religion; I think an athiest pakistani should have the same rights what an other ordinary muslim can have. Having said this, this is what I tell my friends, you can have any faith you want to have, you have all the freedom; but don’t produce a small sect and say that we are Muslims. Be proud of your faith; don’t jumble is with the Islam that came 1500 years ago.
[quote post=”568″]He has been wiped out of our memory because he was an Ahmadi, [/quote]
Apart from jinnah/liaqat ali and iqbal, there are a very few characters from ML/Pakistan leadership that are actually honored and remembered by an average pakistan. In short, there’s no concept of ‘founding fathers’ in Pakistan (just check out their various currency denominations). Call him autocratic or a giant among dwarfs, but the fact remains that ML leadership in general could never grow out of Jinnah’s towering shadow. Even liaqat ali has remained a one dimensional figure. Compare this pathetic state with what the indians got, they seem to have no dearth of 1st and 2nd tier leaders that they celebrate: Abul kalam, Ambidkar, Bose etc. apart from the more familiar names.. Is it a coincidence that Pakistan has shown an almost natural affinity toward dictatorships and india toward the opposite?
I think they fevered pakistan becouse they thought they can hijake pakistan ofter freedom for there own religion benifits and beliefs.the government of pakistan have been declare Ahmadis as non-muslims in 1973,since there “HAZOOR” living in london.According islamic beliefs prophet MUHAMMAD(PBUH) is the last massanger(rasool)of ALLAH,but mirza ghulam ahmad claims that he is also rassol,nabi,mujaddid,the imam mahdi,and also second coming ESA(PBUH),(he was all in one)which is not acceptable to any muslim who believe that MUHAMMAD(PBUH)is the last rasool,and there is no rasool ofter him.
First Question come in my mind is this is sir Zafrullah khan was muslim?if the Answer is NO,then please dont put him in muslim leaders.
sister asma if you know Ahmadi beliefs about kashmir then its more easy to understand why?many things you noted here it was his personal achievements.
“with out religion you can not see any matter in good prospective,so its importent”
Brother Eidee man GOD has decided who is muslim,dont worry.
I respect every single person who was and is the fever of pakistan including sir zafrullah khan,May ALLAH forgive him.We should not forget those who lost there lifes in the way of pakistan.May ALLAH protect pakistan and all of you.
[quote comment=”33814″]
Despite Sir Zafarullah Khan’s lot of contributions, is anybody know that he was CIA’s paid agent? Just few days ago, a columnist in Jang newspaper said that he was CIA’s agent and he was responsible for Kashmir’s cease fire when Pakistan had chance to liberate the Kashmir right after independence. Please verify this claim.[/quote]
Dear Mera Pakistan, I guess your Pakistan is NOT my Pakistan. Why don’t YOU verify this claim before spreading a malicious rumor like this only to spread fasad without any proof. In most places making an unsubstantiated claim like this would be liable to legal measures. Shouldn’t YOU
verify such a serious charge before you spread rumors like this?
[quote comment=”33814″]It is sad that instead of talking about Sir Zafarrullah Khan’s achievements, we are discussing Ahmediyya movemnet’s achievements. Let’s stay focus on the topic and don’t try to talk about religious beliefs. If we didn’t stop, readers will start labeling this site as Ahmediyya sect’s site.
Despite Sir Zafarullah Khan’s lot of contributions, is anybody know that he was CIA’s paid agent? Just few days ago, a columnist in Jang newspaper said that he was CIA’s agent and he was responsible for Kashmir’s cease fire when Pakistan had chance to liberate the Kashmir right after independence. Please verify this claim.[/quote]
MP wasn’t it Jang that claimed that Shaukat Aziz had a white Jewish wife?