Naseer Ahmad Malhi (Urdu: چودھری نصیر احمد ملہی) (15 August 1911 – 12 July 1991) was a Pakistani politician, known for playing a pivotal role in the formation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Malhi is recognised as one of the nation's activists of the Pakistan Movement.[1]
Malhi was a leading member of the Muslim League and was at the forefront of the Pakistan Movement. A lifetime member of the Muslim League, he belonged to the gentry of Punjab and served as West Pakistan's first Minister of Education.
Naseer Ahmad Malhi was born as the second son of Chaudhry Ghulam Haider Malhi, in 1911, in the town of Baddomalhi, in Sialkot district into the Malhi clan of the Jutt tribe. Malhi's father was the leading land-owning farmer of the district, one of the elites of Punjab, was noted for his philanthropy, and was decorated by the British Governor for his services to the community. Malhi's great-grandfather, Chaudhry Ali Gohar Malhi, served as Governor of Punjab during the reign of MaharajaRanjit Singh who ruled Punjab from 1801 to 1839.[1]
Education
Naseer Ahmad Malhi received his primary and secondary education at G.H. (Ghulam Haider) Muslim High School, named after his father, who was encouraged by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan to found this school in 1898, to educate aspiring students. The school was noted for offering free tuition and books to economically-disadvantaged pupils. The educational expenses of these students were personally met by Malhi's father.[1]
Malhi commenced his political career with the Congress Party. After attending the 1940 Lahore Conference held by the All India Muslim League, he recognised the immense potential that the Muslim League had for representing the Muslims of India. He joined the Muslim League's Sialkot chapter and rapidly ascended to become its president.[2]
The Sialkot Convention in May 1944 was a milestone in Muslim–Hindu politics. It is widely regarded by Pakistani historians as the landmark event which brought the Muslim League into prominence in undivided Punjab. It broke the Unionist Party's hold over the Muslims of Punjab and swayed their sentiments towards the Muslim League and the Pakistan movement, paving the way for the eventual formation of Pakistan.[2][6]
Realizing the convention's impact, Jinnah reportedly stated, "I have a feeling today, that Pakistan has come into existence".[2][3][4][5] Jinnah attributed the success of this convention to Malhi. Embracing him, he reportedly commented, "Mr. Malhi, no doubt, you are Lord Malhi".[2][4][5] Jinnah made Malhi the head of the Muslim League of Punjab, a post that Malhi maintained until 1971.[2]
Post-independence
After the independence of Pakistan, Lord Malhi served as Pakistan's:
- Minister of Education
- Minister of Law
- Minister of Prisons
- Minister of Planning
- Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
It was during his tenure as Minister of Education that school uniforms were introduced in Pakistan.[2] He excluded Aitchison College from the list of schools receiving government assistance on the rationale that such elite institutions did not require federal aid.[1]
Greeting Mrs Roosevelt at dinner hosted as Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN.
Chaudhry Naseer Malhi led Pakistan's delegation at the Geneva Conference in 1955. At this conference he delivered a speech defending the rights of Afro-Asian countries and was awarded a gold medal. Following this success, Malhi led Pakistan’s delegation to the United Nations, where he addressed the United Nations General Assembly on the political challenges facing South Asia.[1]
With the advent of martial law in the early sixties, Malhi became a vociferous opponent of the government of General Ayub Khan. In 1965, he allied himself with and supported Fatima Jinnah in her bid to democratically dislodge Ayub Khan from his assumed office.
Malhi was offered key ministry posts during the Nawab of Kalabagh's tenure as Chief Minister of West Pakistan. Though they were close personal friends, Malhi declined to accept the posts because of ideological differences. He was later offered a ministry post by General Zia, but he again declined.
Malhi successfully retained his seat in the National Assembly until 1971. As a result of the secession of East Pakistan and his disappointment with the corrupt politicking of later politicians, he retired from electoral politics.[1]
Death
Naseer Ahmad Malhi died on 12 July 1991 at age 79.[1]
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