Liaquat Ali Khan Day observed at Sir Syed University

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi  
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Glowing tributes were paid to Pakistan’s first Prime Minister Quaid-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan at a seminar held under the auspices of Sir Syed University of Engineering & Technology (SSUET, Karachi, on the occasion of his 117th birth anniversary. 

The speakers on the occasion shed light on the life of the great Liaquat Ali Khan, one of the founding fathers of the country, and recounted his accomplishments during the Pakistan Movement and after the creation of Pakistan in 1947. 

Liaquat Ali Khan, born on October 1, 1895, was educated at the Aligarh Muslim University and the Oxford University. He rose to prominence quite early in his career and was also the influential member of the Muslim League, advocating and determining to eradicate the injustices and ill treatment meted out to the Indian Muslims by the foreign rulers. 

Addressing the seminar as chief guest, Engr Adil Usman, Vice-President, Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association (AMUOBA), observed that today we are living in an independent state with complete respect and dignity and which came into being as a result of historic struggle waged by leaders like Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah. 

“He fully supported the Quaid in his long and arduous journey which finally stood rewarded on August 14, 1947 when Pakstan appeared on the world map as a homeland for the Muslims of South Asia. 

In his speech, Saeed Ahmed Siddiqi, a senior Aligarian now in his 90s, described Liaquat Ali Khan as a courageous leader and said that despite immense odds he refused to devalue Pakistan’s currency and presented three surplus budgets in a row. 

Another speaker, Mehfooz-un-Nabi Khan, reckoned that the youth can bring about a revolutionary change in the society with commitment to the principles laid down by Liaquat Ali Khan and the ideology he pursued. 

Other speakers on the occasion included Umar Khan, Sana Haider and Nazeer Channa while renowned poet Khumar Farooqui presented poetic homage to the legendary leader.