Thread by @imranahsanmirza

Sir Zafarullah Khan - A founding father of Pakistan, a politician, a diplomat of Muslim causes with global impact, and an international jurist, President of the UN General Assembly in 1962. Let us reflect on his illustrious career:

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Born on Feb 6, 1893 in Sialkot. Graduated from the Gov College, Lahore, in 1911, went to England, studied at Kings’ College, London, and was called to the Bar having studied at Lincoln’s Inn in 1914.

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He got elected as a member of the Punjab Legislative Council in 1926 - an active member of the All India Muslim League. He was President of the All India Muslim League in 1931 at the Delhi meeting and advocated the cause of the Indian Muslims during his presidential address.
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He was a champion of Muslim causes in India and participated in the Round Table Conferences held between the years 1930-32. These were held to discuss the political and constitutional reforms in India.

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He remained a member of the Executive Council of the Viceroy of India during the years 1935 to 1941. An executive council was equivalent to the present-day federal cabinet. He was an eminent politician and an outstanding public servant contributing through this position.
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Sir Zafarullah became the Minister of Railways in May 1935 - the Minister of the British Indian central government. A period when electrification and further expansion took place.

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His diplomatic prowess was well established by now. In 1939 he represented India in the League of Nations, the precursor to the UN. He presented his vision of the new world order through a speech in 1941 on the topic “Foundation for a New World” broadcasted on All India Radio. 7

He was appointed the Judge of the Federal Court of India in September 1941, the post he held until June 1947. It was the precursor to the post-partition Supreme Court of India/Pakistan. He had an illustrious judicial career.

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He was appointed the Agent-General of India in China in the year 1942. In 1945, represented India as the Indian Government’s nominee in the Commonwealth Relations Conference, where he spoke for the cause of India’s freedom.

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At the request of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, he represented the All India Muslim League in July 1947 before Radcliffe Boundary Commission and presented the case of the Muslims in a highly commendable manner.

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He was the Advisor on Constitutional and Legal Affairs to H.H. the Nawab of Bhopal, from June to December 1947.

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After the period of partition in Dec 1947, he represented Pakistan in the UN's General Assembly as the head of the Pakistan delegation and advocated the stand of the Muslim world on the Palestinian issue.
His UN Kashmir resolutions still hold relevance.
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Sir Zafarullah was appointed by the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah as Pakistan’s first Foreign Minister, the position he held from December 25, 1947, till 1954.

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From 1948 to 1954, he represented Pakistan at the Security Council (UN). He masterfully and laudably advocated the cause of liberation of the occupied Kashmir, Libya, North Ireland, Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Morocco, and Indonesia.
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He presented to the US president the second edition of the English Translation of the Holy Quran, in January 1951. He had close ties with the executive leadership of America throughout his career.

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He represented Pakistan at the CENTO Conference held in Manila, in September 1954.

He then in 1954, became Judge of the International Court of Justice, The Hague, the post he held till 1961.

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In March, 1958, he performed Umra, went inside the Holy Ka'aba, and visited the shrine of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) in Medina to pay homage; also met Sultan Abdul Aziz Ibne Saud and stayed in the royal palace as the Sultan’s personal guest.
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Saudi Arabia benefited from his diplomatic services, mentorship of its diplomatic corps, friendship with the then Foreign Minister Faisal Al Saud, who later became the King. He was awarded the highest civil awards by Egypt, Jordan, & Morrocco.

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Sir Zafarullah became the Vice President of the International Court of Justice, the Hague, in the year 1958, which post he held till 1961.

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Between 1961 to 1964, he remained Pakistan’s Permanent Representative at the UN. His diplomatic reach and influence were at the highest quarters of World powers, both in North America and Europe. In 1962, met President Kennedy and discussed the Kashmir issue with him.
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Between 1962 to 1963, he was President of the UN General Assembly. This respect for Pakistan, not been matched ever since. He made Pakistan a diplomatic force to be reckoned with during the early decades since its inception as an independent nation.

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In 1963, he visited USSR and met its leaders as well as some notable Russian Muslims. In November 1965, visited Fiji Island and delivered a lecture. He performed Hajj in the year 1967.

Pakistan was considered a de facto leader of the Muslim world due to his leadership.

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In 1970, he was elected President of the International Court of Justice, The Hague, the post he held until 1973. He stayed in England during the period 1973 to 1983 and then returned to Pakistan.

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He passed away in 1985 at the age of 92 leaving an illustrious legacy of serving the causes of Indian Muslims, the Arab world, the establishment of mainstream diplomatic functions of the newly formed Muslim states around the world, and their freedoms from colonial powers.
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He was a devout Muslim, following the Islamic teachings of the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. He, very fortunately, met him in 1904. He remained a loyal Ahmadi throughout his life, & a close associate of all the successors of the founder.

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The Canada Stary Weekly, Toronto, in its issue of May 28, 1949, says:

“The man who more than any other single person has put Pakistan on the international map as a force to be reckoned with is Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan.”

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PM of Pakistan Chaudhry Muhammad Ali in 1955 said he has a “deep sense of gratitude and admiration for the disinterested and untiring way, you are continuing to serve Pakistan and the cause of Islam” despite religious riots against Ahmadis and him.

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Prime Minister Z.A.Bhutto wrote, "I wish to convey to you our deep appreciation for the services you have so selflessly rendered over several decades to the people of Pakistan as well as to the international community."

PM Z.A.Bhutto stated, " As a leading member of the political movement, which led to the achievement of a homeland of the Muslims in the sub-continent and earlier as President of the All India Muslim League in 1931, you played a very significant role in the creation of Pakistan."

PM Z.A.Bhutto wrote, "you helped in establishing Pakistan as a state which commanded respect abroad and whose voice carried weight in international forums."

PM Z.A.Bhutto wrote, "Your services to Pakistan, however, did not end there. As President of the UN General Assembly and as a judge of the International Court of Justice you not only served the international community as a whole but in doing so enhanced the prestige of Pakistan"

“The fact of the matter is that Chaudhry Zafarullah Khan has done a job for which 80 crore Muslims of the World owe him a debt of gratitude." Khawaja Hassan Nizami, a Sufi, prolific writer, and renowned religious scholar.

Sir Zafarullah in pictures
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Sir Zafarullah in pictures
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Sir Zafarullah in pictures
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Sir Zafarullah in pictures
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Sir Zafarullah in pictures
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Sir Zafarullah in pictures
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