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President House opens its doors for a historical exhibition

President House opens its doors for a historical exhibition

It highlights the personality and work of Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the struggle for a separate country for Muslims.
14 Apr, 2019

Aiwan-i-Sadr opened its doors to the public for two days this weekend to showcase Pakistan’s history, from the Pakistan Movement to the difficulties facing migrants in the subcontinent, through rare photographs and documents.

The historical exhibition was organised by the National Archives of Pakistan, and highlighted the personality and work of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and the struggle for a separate country for Muslims.

Documents exhibited included rare texts in Arabic, Persian, Punjabi and Pashto, magazines published in the subcontinent, the deed of Kashmir between Dogra Raja Gulab Singh and the British from 1846 and royal orders issued by Mughal emperors Shahjehan and Mohammad Shah.

A photograph of Fatima Jinnah and Dina Jinnah.
A photograph of Fatima Jinnah and Dina Jinnah.

Personal documents belonging to Jinnah and Fatima Jinnah were also displayed, including their original passports, vehicle registration books, diaries and accounts books.

The exhibition was held at President House on Friday and Saturday, and saw crowds of visitors who came to enjoy the rare glimpse into history as well as the Presidency. Visitors were allowed to visit the gardens and the Darbar Hall.

The exhibition tried to tell the story of Pakistan under Jinnah’s leadership. It started with Jinnah’s arrival in India from England and culminated in the experiences of migrants who travelled to Pakistan during partition.

A lunch invitation to Mohammad Ali Jinnah during a visit to Lahore in 1940.
A lunch invitation to Mohammad Ali Jinnah during a visit to Lahore in 1940.

Rare photographs of Fatima Jinnah and Dina Jinnah were also displayed, as well as photos of Jinnah’s residence in London and his friends.

One photograph showed Jinnah, Fatima Jinnah being received by Ayub Khan, then major general, at a visit to Kurmitola Parade Ground in what was then East Pakistan. East Pakistan’s governor and area commander Sir Frederick Bourne could also be seen.

The original document of the sale of Kashmir by the British government to Raja Gulab Singh for Rs7.5 million in 1846.
The original document of the sale of Kashmir by the British government to Raja Gulab Singh for Rs7.5 million in 1846.

Al-Hasan and Al-Hussain, an Arabic text published in 1509, a Punjabi book by Mohammad Qasim from 1277, Pashto text written in 1256 and handwritten copies of Futwa-i-Alamgiri and Sharah-i-Hindi in Persian from 1272 were displated.

Among old newspapers and magazines was the original Paisa Akhbar newspaper from 1930s Lahore, Al-Hilal from Culcutta from 1927, Chitaan from Lahore dated 1950, the Hamdard newspaper from Delhi dated 1928 and Oudh Punch from Lucknow from 1924.

Speaking to visitors, President Dr Arif Alvi said work needs to be done to identify Jinnah’s friends and others who were part of history, as younger generations do not recognise them.

He said the public has been given access to rare photographs for the first time so they can see the original documents available with the government.

A photograph of Mohammad Ali Jinnah after his graduation, which he sent to his father Jinnah Poonja with his signature. — Photos by Tanveer Shahzad.
A photograph of Mohammad Ali Jinnah after his graduation, which he sent to his father Jinnah Poonja with his signature. — Photos by Tanveer Shahzad.

He said students and researchers would also benefit from these documents.

“It’s a great opportunity for people, especially students of history, to feel real moments captured in photographs; these are the windows to the past that show how our great leaders went through the freedom struggle,” said Mohammad Awais, a visitor at the exhibition.

Fiza Ahmed, who came from Rawalpindi, said that her family came to see the President House as well as the exhibition. She said she had also learned that more rare documents were available at the National Archives.

“But, seeing the rare photographs of the founder of the nation and the documents in President House was the best experience. There should museums in such buildings that are open to the general public,” she added.


Originally published in Dawn, April 14th, 2019

Comments

Pak Khan Apr 14, 2019 03:29pm
Still waiting for governor houses to turn into universities as promised by PTI in it's long list of unfulfilled promised. I regret voting for it, expecting a change.
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asheikh Apr 14, 2019 04:14pm
Glad to see President House and Governor houses open to people. All is not well in terms of Economy, but this step shows the intentions are good. Hope PTI can overcome their issues with inexperience and get the Economy back on track.
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Waqas Apr 14, 2019 04:59pm
@Pak Khan Have patience, Rome wasn’t built in a day!
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Gordon D. Walker Apr 14, 2019 05:30pm
The anatomy of a huge failure... Gordon D. Walker Canada
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hassan Apr 14, 2019 05:36pm
@Pak Khan It is good that governor houses have not been turned into educational institutions. They were not designed for such things. These ideas were not well thought out through. In any case, where will good researchers come from ? I am glad I voted for PTI. It is doing much for the betterment of the masses and for stemming the tide of corruption.
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Ehsan Apr 14, 2019 06:14pm
That’s governor/ president houses should be used- open for public for exhibitions etc
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Must learn Apr 14, 2019 07:14pm
A portion of CM Houses, Governor Houses, PM House,and P House, be remained open for lunch, breakfast, and dinner for poor needy. Just opening for short time for appeasements is not enough. These are public properties.
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ahmed Apr 14, 2019 08:41pm
Publish a book with these photographs and documents for all PK people to experience. Not all can afford to visit President House. Get the looted money back fast or the corrupt will continue to win.
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Jamil Soomro, New York City Apr 15, 2019 01:25am
What a shame.There is no mention of the true Hero of Pakistan the great Sir Syed Ahmad Khan in this Exhibition and by the Writer in this article.
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Mumtaz Ahmed Shah Apr 15, 2019 05:33am
President initiatives to open president House for public is appreciated all over the world.The precious valuable photographs of Quaid -e Azam will be an assets for young generation. They would realize how Pakistan came into existance.(Texas)
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