Tragic loss

Exactly 74 years ago, on October 16, 1951, Pakistan’s first prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan arrived at Company Bagh in Rawalpindi to address a massive public gathering. The ground was packed with people waving green crescent flags and chanting slogans of ‘Pakistan Zindabad’.

Liaquat Ali Khan stepped onto the stage, adjusted the microphone and began his speech. Before he could continue his address, a gunshot tore through the crowd. Within seconds, Pakistan’s first prime minister fell to the ground, drenched in his own blood. The assassin was instantly shot dead, yet the nation’s greatest loss had already occurred.

Liaquat Ali Khan whispered his final words – “May God protect Pakistan”. These became immortal, a national prayer repeated by generations of Pakistanis. However, 74 years later, his unfortunate assassination remains a mystery in our national history.

Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan belonged to an influential noble family of Karnal, yet he lived with simplicity and humility. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah throughout the struggle for Pakistan. As the secretary-general of the All-India Muslim League, Liaquat Ali Khan played a vital role in steering the movement through its most critical moments.

He was often criticized for choosing the US instead to visit Moscow. In my view, it was a wise step toward securing Pakistan’s recognition on the world stage and aligning it with the global order of that time.

In April 1950, when communal violence had still engulfed both countries and minorities on both sides of the border were living in fear, Liaquat Ali Khan once again proved his outstanding leadership. Rising above political hostility, he visited New Delhi to meet his Indian counterpart Jawaharlal Nehru. The outcome of that historical meeting was the Liaquat–Nehru Pact, a landmark agreement ensuring the safety and rights of religious minorities in both countries.

His courage also resulted in making one of the most iconic moments in Pakistan’s diplomatic history – the famous ‘Mukka’ or Punch of Dignity. During his tenure, when Pakistan faced several kinds of security challenges, he declared while showing his punch, “Pakistan will live forever with faith and courage”. That symbolic gesture, more powerful than words, also received extensive press coverage across borders. It was a clear message that Pakistan’s survival did not depend on the mercy of others, but on the strength of its belief and the unity of Pakistani people.

However, just a year later, that same nation watched in shock as their beloved leader fell to an assassin’s bullet. His martyrdom marked a turning point – the moment when Pakistan’s political journey lost its steady compass. The tragedy also weakened national unity and derailed the early vision of development and democratic strength.

On his 74th death anniversary, Liaquat Ali Khan’s final words still echo through the heart of every patriotic Pakistani citizen: “May God protect Pakistan”.

The writer is a member of the National Assembly and patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council. He tweets/posts @RVankwani