ISLAMABAD, June 24: Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah remained an integrating force after the death of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and kept on struggling for the stability of democratic institutions in the country till her death in 1967.

This view point was shared by the speakers at a one-day seminar on “Life and Works of Madar-i-Millat” here on Tuesday. The seminar was organised by the National Institute of Pakistan Studies (NIPS), Quaid-i-Azam University.

Paying homage to Madar-i-Millat, the speakers said she remained steadfast in her determination to forge national unity and cohesion, and agreed that she was a symbol of democracy, liberation and courage.

Prof Fateh Mohammad Malik, Chairman Pakistan National Language Authority, said she not only remained with her brother throughout Pakistan Movement but also played an active role for the sanctity of the democratic institutions afterwards.

Referring to her heroic decision to contest the presidential election against the then military dictator, the late Ayub Khan, he said,”that was the time when the so-called leaders of East and West Pakistan had surrendered to the military rule but it was a skeletal woman who picked up the courage to fight for the greater cause of democracy.

Though she was a great women rights activist, at that particular time - presidential election 1965 - she also fought for the rights of men, as their leadership had succumbed to the then military regime, said. “It was due to the apathetic attitude of both religious and political leadership of the 60’s that she decided to face a ruthless military dictator,” he added.

Emeritus Professor A H Dani said Madar-i-Millat’s services for the continuity and sanctity of democratic norms would remain a guiding principle for all those who were trying to save democracy in the country. “Though the people of East Pakistan in mid-60’s had developed a certain degree of hatred towards West Pakistan, even then during her presidential campaign they came on to the streets in her support. I was in East Pakistan when she was campaigning for her presidential election and could well remind the way the people welcomed her,” Prof Dani said.

Prof Riaz Ahmad said it was encouraging to know that the youth wanted to know about various aspects of the life of their national heroes. Commenting on the role of Fatima Jinnah as a uniting force, he said just after few years of her death in 1967 Pakistan was dismembered and still suffering from leadership crisis.

He maintained that after the death of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah instead of pursuing a political career she preferred to work for the social welfare of the masses. “Her campaign against TB will be remembered for ever and will be used as guiding principle for such ventures even in the times to come.”

Federal minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Abdul Sattar Laleka, who was chief guest on the occasion, said Fatima Jinnah was the embodiment of how a woman could play her due role subjected to whatsoever conditions.

Referring to ongoing situation in the NWFP where the provincial government has embarked upon a policy against women, he said, if the father of the nation had no objection to working with his sister in every field then what had gone wrong with the NWFP government.

In the end, director NIPS Dr Ghulam Haider Sindhi presented the vote of thanks.