Pakistan remembers Shaheed-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan on his 74th death anniversary

Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan is commemorating the 74th death anniversary of its first Prime Minister, Shaheed-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan today (Thursday).

A trusted associate of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Liaquat Ali Khan played a crucial role in the movement that led to the creation of Pakistan as a separate homeland for the Muslims of the subcontinent.

Born on October 1, 1895, in Karnal, then part of Punjab Province under British India and now located in Haryana, India, Liaquat Ali Khan belonged to an aristocratic Nausherwani Muslim Marhal Jatt family. Although his roots were Punjabi, his family adopted Urdu, which became his native tongue.

The son of a wealthy landowner, Liaquat Ali Khan received his education from Aligarh and Allahabad before pursuing higher studies at Exeter College, Oxford.

His unwavering commitment to the Pakistan Movement and his close partnership with Quaid-e-Azam placed him among the foremost founders of the newly established state.

After independence, he took charge as Pakistan’s first Prime Minister and also served as Defence Minister.

On this day in 1951, Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated during a public meeting at Company Bagh in Rawalpindi — a place that was later renamed Liaquat Bagh in his memory.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in his message on the occasion, paid homage to Liaquat Ali Khan for his remarkable services in strengthening and stabilizing the country after its creation.

“Liaquat Ali Khan’s integrity, devotion to national unity, and commitment to democratic ideals continue to inspire the nation,” the president said.

President Zardari urged the nation to keep drawing lessons from the enduring principles set by the country’s founding leaders.