ISLAMABAD July 29: Prime Minister Mir Zafrullah Khan Jamali, who has designated the year 2003 as the year of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, will formally launch a website pertaining to the political career of Ms Jinnah on Thursday.

This was stated by Information Minister Shaikh Rashid Ahmad here on Tuesday while inaugurating a photographs exhibition, portraying the life struggle of Madar-i-Millat, Quaid’s celebrated sister.

Information ministry’s department of films and publications organized the inaugural function of the exhibition at the National Library auditorium. The minister said Ms Jinnah was entitled to a chapter in the historic struggle for the creation of Pakistan, and this exhibition was a way of showing the gratitude that the nation owed to this resolute lady.

He also instructed his ministry officials to arrange the exhibition at Karachi, Lahore, and Quetta so that the people were able to see her memorabilias.

This was the idea behind running a special train that would stop at 40 stations. The prime minister will inaugurate the special train on August 14, he added.

The minister recited a poem, containing Habib Jalib’s valedictory tributes to the Madar-i-Millat.

The 60 large-sized (20x24) monochromatic photographs displayed at the exhibition depicted different periods of Fatima Jinnah’s life. The photographs had been contributed by the archives department, films and publications department and private collectors.

The exposition includes six large photographs, showing the journey of her life from the age of about six or seven to the teen and, then, a grown up woman blessed with beauty, charm and wit.

Eight photographs show her accompanying the Quaid to different state functions. In these photos, she is seen at Red Cross headquarter as well as at industrial homes, sharing happy moments with children.

Then, there is a touching photo taken in the company of the Quaid and her daughter Dina Wadia — which reminds people of the valuable support she gave to her brother in looking after his home as well as in sharing the weight of those tumultuous years before and after the birth of Pakistan. Another photograph shows her in tears after the burial of the Quaid.

The quality of the photographs was less important than their message. The exhibition, however, left out many important chapters of her career, including the courageous struggle waged against Gen Ayub Khan to contest the bid for presidency.

The exhibition also establishes us as a nation of poor record keepers; not one out of the 60 photos specifies the year in which it was taken. Nevertheless, this discrepancy might stand removed on Thursday when the prime minister would visit the venue.

A book, being compiled by Mr sharif, on the life and career of Ms Jinnah is also likely to supplement the exhibition, as foretold by the department of films and publications director general Mr Shafi. — Jonaid Iqbal