As judge, Quaid-e-Azam rejected approver’s testimony

ISLAMABAD: Geo News programme Capital Talk host Hamid said in his programme on Wednesday Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in his stint as a judge, refused to accept the testimony of an approver. Speaking in his programme on Quaid-e-Azam’s 76th death anniversary, Hamid Mir said Quaid-e-Azam was not only a lawyer and a politician but had also served as a judge.

In his capacity as magistrate, Quaid-e-Azam strongly opposed arresting a person without trial. As governor general, he paid taxes and super taxes on his salary. He did not compromise on principles. He rejected Mahatma Gandhi’s offer to become the prime minister of a united India.

Hamid Mir said that on the occasion of Quaid-e-Azam’s death anniversary, various programmes are organised every year and features, while editorials and supplements are published in newspapers, but the real personality of Quaid-e-Azam is not revealed. It is the need of the hour to highlight the character and thoughts of the real Quaid-e-Azam.

Hamid Mir maintained that Quaid-e-Azam took admission to Lincoln’s Inn, an educational institution in London, because the name of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was written on its main door, which clearly shows Quaid-e-Azam’s deep love for the Prophet (PBUH). Hamid Mir quoted an excerpt from Quaid-e-Azam’s sister Fatima Jinnah’s book — My Brother — in which it is clear that he liked William Shakespeare’s plays very much.

There was a time in Quaid-e-Azam’s life when he left working as lawyer and became a judge. In the book “Quaid-e-Azam as Magistrate”, many of his decisions have been printed. The book highlights that as a judge, he upheld justice. He never accepted the testimony of an approver. Hamid Mir highlighted that Quaid-e-Azam strongly opposed arrests without trial and believed in press freedom.

Quaid-e-Azam condemned the Rowlatt Act enforced in 1919, which allowed police to make arrests without trial. Whenever false cases were made against journalists, Quaid-e-Azam fought their cases in the courts. When sedition cases were filed against journalist Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who published a magazine in the Gujarati language, and Bombay Chronicle editor Mr. Horniman, Quaid-e-Azam got them relief from the court. He always opposed restrictions on journalism. Quaid-e-Azam had resigned from parliament in protest against the Rowlatt Act.

Quaid-e-Azam encouraged women to enter practical politics, the biggest example of which was his own sister Fatima Jinnah, who was not only active in politics with his brother but also played a vital role in social work. Quaid-e-Azam encouraged non-Muslim minorities to play an active role in politics, and that is why Quaid-e-Azam handed over the law and Kashmir affairs portfolios to a Hindu, Jogendra Nath Mandal, in his first cabinet.

Quaid-e-Azam would always encourage the youth for their bright future, a great example of which was played in the programme through a video clip of the late former finance and foreign minister Sartaj Aziz. “Quaid-e-Azam would treat students very kindly. He would converse with them siting on the ground,” Sartaj Aziz said in the video clip. Referring to the Khan of Kalat Mir Ahmed Yar Khan Baloch’s book “Inside Balochistan”, Hamid Mir elaborated that after a murderous attack on Quaid-e-Azam in Mumbai, he sent one of his guards to Mumbai to protect Quaid-e-Azam, who served as guard with him till August 7, 1947.

“Quaid-e-Azam also had unwavering tolerance and that is why he used to get treatment from Mahatma Gandhi’s personal physician DK Mehta. Quaid-e-Azam was not only a champion of equality but also demonstrated it in his practical life,” Hamid Mir stated while giving historical evidences.

Referring to Syed Shams-ul-Hassan’s book “Only Mr Jinnah”, Hamid Mir said that Quaid-e-Azam wanted to be remembered only as Mr Jinnah after leaving the world. Aligarh University Vice-Chancellor Ziauddin Ahmed offered Quaid-e-Azam an honorary doctorate degree, which Mr Jinnah refused, saying that he was not a doctor and would not favour accepting the degree.

Referring to Dr Saad Khan’s book “Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah Dawlat, Jaidad, Wasiyat”, Mir reveled that Quaid-e-Azam’s monthly salary was Rs10,416 and 10 annas, on which he would pay Rs2,291 as tax and Rs3,190 as super tax per month, setting a perfect example for the future generations. Citing Jabbar Mirza’s book “Quaid-e-Azam and the Armed Forces of Pakistan”, Mir said Quaid-e-Azam knew the importance of the army very well, so he established the Kakul Military Academy and also inaugurated the Air Force Academy in Risalpur. Fatima Jinnah quotes Quaid-e-Azam’s address to civil officers at the Governor House Peshawar on April 14, 1948, telling them they should never support any political party or leader because it is not their job. Concluding the programme, Hamid Mir said all problems of the country can be solved by following in the footsteps of Quaid-e-Azam.