KARACHI: Reports of improper use of Quaid’s money dispelled
KARACHI, July 29: All bequests made by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah in his will of May 30, 1939, had been paid by the administrators of the Estate of Quaid-i-Azam, appointed by the Sindh High Court from time to time, and there was no improper use of the Quaid’s money.
‘‘The allegations of improper payments are totally unfounded, baseless and incorrect,” said Liaquat Merchant, Administrator of Estate of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, who is also Quaid’s grand-nephew, being grandson of Mariam Bai, sister of the Father of the Nation.
Commenting on reports regarding non-payment to correct beneficiaries and improper use of Quaid’s money, Liaquat Merchant stated that final payment to Sindh Madressah Karachi, Islamia College Peshawar and Aligarh University was made by the administrators in part during lifetime of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah and later by successor administrators, including Syed Hashim Reza and himself (Liaquat Merchant).
He said that Rs 10,811,600.00 were paid each to the Sindh Madressah Karachi And Islamia College Peshawar while an identical amount was paid to the Quaid-i-Azam Aligarh Scholarship Trust pursuant to order passed by Chief Justice Sindh High Court at Karachi in 1984.
This amount was invested in the trust and the income earned was used to grant 4,108 scholarships to poor, needy and deserving students in Pakistan from 1985 to 2005 as Jinnah scholarships.
He said administrators of the Estate of Quaid-i-Azam and secretary general Bashir Ahmed Memon, who is also Official Assignee of Karachi holds records, including confirmation with regard to payment receipts from administrators of Estate of Quaid-i-Azam by cheques drawn in favour of the Sindh Madressahtul Islam.
Liaquat Merchant said these receipts and confirmations were given in writing by two accountants, as well as two honorary secretaries, Abdul Razak Thahim and Imdad Hussain G Kehar and N M Uquali, President, Sindh Madressah Board.
He said all relevant information and documents had been placed on record of the Sindh High Court in a legal action initiated against the members of the Sindh Madressah Board after which legal proceedings were withdrawn.
Administrators of the Estate of Quaid-i-Azam do not wish to have any involvement with matters or in controversy between members of the Sindh Madressah Board, he added.—PPI
