KARACHI: Mohtarema Shirin Jinnah, sister of the Quaid-i-Azam, in a statement … … denied that she was against the execution of the Quaid-i-Azam’s will. … She said “I am somewhat aggrieved about the controversy in the Press about the disposal of the Quaid-i-Azam’s estate, particularly the Flag Staff House. I would have much preferred to keep quiet on this issue if it had been only of a personal nature. But since it concerns my illustrious brother … I consider it my duty to lay the facts before the public. …

“As it is I happen to be the only living legatee in Pakistan who would be entitled to the grant of ‘letter of administration’. … I must … deny that I am against the execution of the Quaid-i-Azam’s will, and that I ‘went to the Press stating that the Flag Staff House should not be sold’. ... The difference of opinion may have arisen from my wishes … that Flag Staff House could be rebuilt … in the memory of the Quaid-i-Azam and … the beneficiaries of the will could get due share without exploiting it as a commercial venture. … I shall not let anything happen … which is against the self-respect of the [Quaid].”

Published in Dawn, March 25th, 2024