KARACHI, Feb 13: The services rendered by Pakistan’s first prime minister Liaquat Ali Khan and his wife, Begum Ra’ana Liaquat, for the establishment and progress of the country were eulogised at a function held here on Sunday to mark the 106th birth anniversary of the latter. The function was organised by the Quaid-i-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan Memorial Committee. A book titled ‘Liaquat & World Affairs’ was launched, ‘Nishan-i-Liaquat’ was awarded to the Urdu Dictionary Board and awards were given away to distinguished personalities for their meritorious services to the country and the nation, on the occasion.

Speaking at the ceremony, Iqbal Akhund, a former diplomat, said that Liaquat Ali Khan had thorough knowledge of world affairs and the wisdom to lead a nation in its infancy, besides the political acumen to maintain good relations with other countries.

By opting for the US bloc soon after the country’s birth, Mr Khan set the direction of Pakistan’s policies and they were being followed even today, he said.

He spoke of the great sacrifices offered by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Khan Liaquat Ali Khan, their close associates and the nation, and observed that all went well until opportunists in the guise of politicians and bureaucrats sneaked into the power corridors and made the country suffer heavily in all sectors. Such elements, he said, were still there and not ready to mend their ways. “They are not doing anything for the betterment of the poor masses, whose miseries are increasing with the passage of time,” he said.

Mr Akhund said that it was unfortunate that acts of terrorism had become a global phenomenon but after every such incidents, attempts were made to link the act with Pakistan. The situation, he added, could still improve if committed and able leadership was brought in and it worked honestly, sincerely and in a transparent manner.

Dr Masooma Hassan, a former civil servant, said that Khan Liaquat had guided the foreign office to evolve an independent foreign policy that was not reflective of the aspirations of any particular group.

Though opting for the US bloc, it was Mr Khan in whose tenure relations with the then Soviet Union were also established. She, however, said that the role of the then foreign minister, Sir Zafarullah Khan, was very important but this was unfortunately not been acknowledged. She pointed out that Khan Liaquat had formed a very small cabinet and ran the country’s affairs more efficiently than all his successors. She regretted that the mystery of his assassination had remained solved.

She described Begum Ra’ana Liaquat as a role model for Pakistani women, and said she had a multidimensional personality. She was a champion of the women’s right as well as a good academician and a very active social worker. One of her major achievements was establishment of the All Pakistan Women’s Association (Apwa), through which she made commendable efforts to empower women, Dr Hassan said.

Khan Liaquat’s son Ashraf Liaquat said that his mother’s qualities came to the light after his father was assassinated. “My mother had the double responsibility — to groom us properly and continue to render services to the nation and the cause of women — and she very successfully discharged all her responsibilities,” he said.

Paying tribute to his father as a Muslim League leader and prime minister, he also stressed on honesty, sincerity, dedication, loyalty and commitment, saying that the country could progress only when our leadership possessed and employed all these qualities.

Birjis Hassan, Mahfooz-un-Nabi, Anees Ahmad and others also spoke.

Fahmida Riaz received the ‘Nishan-i-Liaquat’ given to the Urdu Dictionary Board for its tremendous job of preparing the dictionary. Individual awards were given away to Dr Yunus Hasani, Naseem Beg, Farhat Rizvi, Irshat Ali, Shahnaz Begum, Tabassum Akhtar, Aqeel Ahmad, Tariq bin Azad, Yasmeen Zafar, Shahid Din and others.

‘Liaquat & World Affairs’, a 108-page book compiled by Mohammad Anees, was launched on the occasion. The book comprises 15 articles written by different people.