Islamabad: A special ceremony was organised by the Pakistan Federation of University Women (PFUW) to pay tribute to Allama Iqbal, in which the Nawab of Junagarh Nawab Ali Murtaza Khanji was the chief guest.
On the occasion, he highlighted before the participants the historical and legal facts of Junagarh and clarified India’s illegal occupation of the region.
The Nawab sent a message to India, stating that its occupation of Junagarh is unlawful and illegitimate.
“Junagarh was Pakistan yesterday, Junagarh is Pakistan today, and it will always remain a part of Pakistan.”
At the beginning of the ceremony, the President of the Pakistan Federation of University Women, Professor Qaisra M. Alvi, delivered the opening remarks and emphasized that the progress of the nation depends on introducing the younger generation to the teachings of Iqbal.
During the ceremony, Khanji paid tribute to Allama Iqbal and said that the secret to Pakistan’s progress lies in acting upon Iqbal’s philosophy.
He paid tribute to Quaid-e-Azam’s efforts against India’s illegal occupation of Junagarh and stated that they would remain committed at all times to completing Quaid-e-Azam’s unfulfilled dream.
He expressed gratitude to the MUSLIM Institute, stating that under the leadership of the Dewan of Junagarh, His Excellency Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali, the Institute has, for the first time in Pakistan’s 78-year history, published a research-based book in English on Junagarh to promote the cause.
During the ceremony, the Nawab explained that the accession of the State of Junagarh to Pakistan is a historical fact which must be acknowledged under international law.
He stressed that the Junagarh case is not merely about a region, but about the completion of Pakistan and the pursuit of historical justice — a matter that every Pakistani must understand and highlight with responsibility.
The Nawab paid tribute to the late Nawab Jahangir Khanji and the Dewan of Junagarh, Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali, for their efforts against India’s illegal occupation, stating that their struggle has ensured Junagarh ’s continued representation on Pakistan’s map. He said that universities and academic institutions must conduct research on the historical and legal aspects of Junagarh so that Indian propaganda can be effectively countered and public awareness can be raised.
According to him, under international law, his status as the “Sovereign in Exile” remains valid to this day.
Nawab Ali Murtaza Khanji reminded the audience that after the partition of India, on September 15, 1947, the Nawab of Junagarh signed the Instrument of Accession with Pakistan’s first Governor General, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Junagarh was the first princely state that formally acceded to Pakistan.
He added that in 1948, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister raised the Junagarh issue at the United Nations General Assembly, and on May 29, 1951, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that both Junagarh and Jammu and Kashmir remain pending disputes at the United Nations, and Pakistan does not recognize India’s illegal occupation.
The Nawab also praised the positive role of the Pakistan Army regarding Junagarh.
