KARACHI/LAHORE: The 49 death anniversary of Madre Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah was observed with reverence and respect across the country on Saturday.
Various political parties and women wings of many organizations held conferences and seminars to highlight the services rendered by Fatima Jinnah. The radio, TV channels and newspapers, on the other hand have also addressed her struggles for the formation of Pakistan.
Fatima Jinnah played a vital role in the creation of Pakistan. Mohammad Ali Jinnah was deeply affected after his wife’s death in 1929. Fatima Jinnah worked side by side with Mohammad Ali Jinnah and gathered the women of sub-continent on one platform which made the struggle for achieving a separate state of Muslims easier.
In 1947, Jinnah formed the Women’s Relief Committee, which later formed the nucleus for the All Pakistan Women s Association (APWA). She also played a significant role in the settlement of Muhajirs in the new state of Pakistan.
Jinnah is referred as the Madar-i-Millat or Mother of the Nation for her role in the Freedom Movement. She returned to the political forefront to contest the 1964 elections at the age of 71 against the military administrator, Ayub Khan.
Fatima Jinnah died in Karachi on 9 July 1967. The official cause of death was heart failure, but rumors suggest that she was murdered at her house. It is claimed that some officials of the local Karachi police said that she was found beheaded in her drawing room.
Fatima Jinnah, is still remembered for her passionate support for civil rights, and devoted struggle in Pakistan Movement.
