By Farzeen Amin

Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, this name needs no introduction to anyone who is born in and affiliated to Pakistan. Muhammad Ali Jinnah is the founding father of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.  He is commonly known as Baba-e-Qoum and Qaid e azam. He was driving force in the creation of an independent homeland for the Muslim minority in the sub continent. Muhammad Ali Jinnah is not only a picture we see on our currency notes but he is the foundation for every reason for the existence of Pakistan.

Mr. Jinnah got birth in a Gujraati family in Karachi. He was born on 25 December, 1876. Quaid e azam was the first born son of Mithibai and Jinnahbhai Poonja. His family was famous in the area because of the business.  Being born in a merchant’s house Jinnah had a comfortable life. He was a very clever student since the beginning. he had difficulty in settling in one school but after switching few schools he settled for his earlier studies at Christian Missionary Society High School. He completed his matriculation in sub continent. After matriculation at the age of 16, Quaid e azam moved to England for higher studies. He completed his law degree from Lincoln’s Inn University. Quaid e Azam was very young when he had completed his degree of law. He started to practice as a lawyer.

Quaid e azam entered the politics of sub continent in 1906 by joining All India Congress. Mr. Jinnah was amongst the politicians who did not believe in liberating India from British Raj as Britishers were seen as beneficial for law and order, economy, culture and education. Jinnah later became a prominent advocate of independence from British Raj. Initially Mr, Jinnah did not join All India Muslim League because he believed in Hindu-Muslim unity. Jinnah stayed in Congress until 1913. After joining All India Muslim league in 1913 Jinnah tried to combine the cause of Muslim League and Congress. The Lacknow pact of 1916 is the prime example of Jinnah’s efforts in creating cooperation between the two parties.  Jinnah left the idea of uniting Muslim League and Congress after Gandhi’s rebel movement against British Raj. Jinnah was convinced that the Muslims of India cannot survive under the dominance of hindu majority. Jinnah’s advocacy for two nation theory became strong and firm specially after the Nehru Report. Jinnah was highly disappointed by Nehru report and he had decided to separate muslim state from British India before the Britishers leave the country. In the address of 1940, the resolution of Pakistan was declared. It was the first step towards the founding the separate homeland for the Muslims of Subcontinent.

Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah devouted his complete life in creating unity between muslims from all around India. He launched Dawn newspaper for the promotion of muslim harmony. Jinnah has highlighted the importance of islam in uniting the muslims throughout the sub continent he added that ‘Islam expect every Muslim to do this duty, and if we realise our responsibility time will come soon when we shall justify ourselves worthy of a glorious past’. Quaid e azam was also a staunch advocate of women rights and women empowerment she said that ‘There are two powers in the world; one is the sword and the other is the pen. There is a great competition and rivalry between the two. There is a third power stronger than both, that of the women’. Jinnah also motivated women to participate in the public affairs and politics. Fatimah Jinnah, his sister was always along side with Jinnah in his struggle.

Finally due to the tiresome efforts of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Pakistan was drawn on the world map on 14^th August 1947. Jinnah became the first Governor General of Pakistan. Unfortunately the newly born state could not stay under the esteemed supervision of its father for long. On 11 September 1948, Quaid e azam passed away in Pakistan. There is no hero who could get independence of the Muslims of sub continent but Muhammad Ali Jinnah.