Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah passed away on September 11, 1948 after falling prey to tuberculosis. The steadfast, principled founding father of Pakistan breathed his last just 13 months after he had done the Muslims of sub-continent a great favour by acquiring a separate homeland for them.
Jinnah was a brilliant lawyer and subsequently, a shrewd politician. Jinnah was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1930. Quaid-e-Azam had hidden this information from everyone, excluding his sister Fatima Ali Jinnah and a few of his close friends and relatives. Tuberculosis what was eventually took his life and during his last days, worsened his deteriorating condition.
On 6 July, 1948 Quaid-e-Azam went to Quetta as advised by his personal physician Colonel Dr Ilahi Bukhsh, for a change in environment. Quaid-e-Azam took rest in the residency area of Quetta, which is known as Quaid-e-Azam Residency today.
Jinnah’s health further took a turn for the worse and in order to place him under better healthcare, he was called back to Karachi by his physicians. He contracted pneumonia on September 9, 1948.
Quaid-e-Azam was brought to Karachi from Quetta by a c-130 plane on 11 September and was transported in an ambulance to the Governor House in Karachi. Unfortunately, his ambulance broke down and another ambulance was arranged for Pakistan’s ailing first Governor-General. For half an hour, Jinnah and his sister waited for another ambulance. The intense heat had taken its toll on the sick Jinnah and by the time the caravan reached Governor House, the Quaid’s health condition was grave.
At 10:20 pm, Quaid-e-Azam was pronounced dead. When Lord Mounbatten, the last Viceroy of India, came to know about Jinnah’s demise, this is what he said:-
Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah passed away on September 11, 1948 after falling prey to tuberculosis. The steadfast, principled founding father of Pakistan breathed his last just 13 months after he had done the Muslims of sub-continent a great favour by acquiring a separate homeland for them.
Jinnah was a brilliant lawyer and subsequently, a shrewd politician. Jinnah was diagnosed with tuberculosis in 1930. Quaid-e-Azam had hidden this information from everyone, excluding his sister Fatima Ali Jinnah and a few of his close friends and relatives. Tuberculosis what was eventually took his life and during his last days, worsened his deteriorating condition.
On 6 July, 1948 Quaid-e-Azam went to Quetta as advised by his personal physician Colonel Dr Ilahi Bukhsh, for a change in environment. Quaid-e-Azam took rest in the residency area of Quetta, which is known as Quaid-e-Azam Residency today.
Jinnah’s health further took a turn for the worse and in order to place him under better healthcare, he was called back to Karachi by his physicians. He contracted pneumonia on September 9, 1948.
Quaid-e-Azam was brought to Karachi from Quetta by a c-130 plane on 11 September and was transported in an ambulance to the Governor House in Karachi. Unfortunately, his ambulance broke down and another ambulance was arranged for Pakistan’s ailing first Governor-General. For half an hour, Jinnah and his sister waited for another ambulance. The intense heat had taken its toll on the sick Jinnah and by the time the caravan reached Governor House, the Quaid’s health condition was grave.
At 10:20 pm, Quaid-e-Azam was pronounced dead. When Lord Mounbatten, the last Viceroy of India, came to know about Jinnah’s demise, this is what he said:-
“Had I known that Jinnah would pass away so early, I would have delayed Pakistan’s formation. Without Jinnah, Pakistan would have never been created.”
Quaid’s most bitter enemy and India’s first Prime Minister Jawarlal Nehru said:-
“For a very long time, I despised Jinnah. Though now that he remains no more, I am quite sad that he worked so hard and achieved it, but at such a large cost.”
Even after 67 years of the great man’s passing, thousands flock to his mausoleum on 11th September. This itself is evident of the fact that Pakistanis still love the man to this day and adhere strict reverence to his stance. No doubt, the man left a legacy unmatched.
