- Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi
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Lord Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi 
Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi 
Minister for Law, Education & Parliamentary AffairsPersonal details Born 15 August 1913
Baddomalhi, Sialkot British IndiaDied 12 July 1991
Baddomalhi, Narowal
PakistanPolitical party Muslim League Spouse(s) Shamim Akhtar Children Afzaal Malhi
Fayyaz Malhi
Tanweer MalhiAlma mater University of the Punjab Profession Statesman Religion Sunni Muslim Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi (Urdu: چودھری نصیر احمد ملہی) (1911 – 12 July 1991): A historical figure in subcontinent politics, Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi played a pivotal role in the formation of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and is recognised as one of the nation’s founding fathers. He was commonly known as Lord Malhi for his larger than life personality, largesse and lavish parties.
Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi was a leading member of the Muslim League and was at the forefront of the Pakistan Movement. A lifetime member of the Muslim League, Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi belonged to the gentry of Punjab and served as West Pakistan's Minister for Law, Education and Parliamentary Affairs in 1955.
His father Chaudhry Ghulam Haider Malhi was the leading aristocrat of district Sialkot and amongst the landed elites of Punjab. He was noted for this philanthropy and was decorated by the British Governor for his services to the community.
Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi's great-grandfather, Chaudhry Ali Gohar Malhi, served as the Governor for Punjab during the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.
Contents
Birth and family
Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi was born the second son of Chaudhry Ghulam Haider Malhi in 1913 in the town of Baddomalhi in district Sialkot.
Apart from an elder stepbrother, Lord Malhi had two elder sisters and two younger sisters. He had three sons and two daughters, however only two sons and a daughter survived adolescence.
Education
Lord Malhi received his primary and secondary education at GH (Ghulam Haider) Muslim High School. Heeding the call of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, Chaudhry Ghulam Haider Malhi founded this school in 1918 in his bid to educate aspiring students.[1] The school was noted for offering free tuition and books to economically disadvantaged pupils. The education expenses of these students were personally maintained by Chaudhry Ghulam Haider.
He proceeded his secondary education, with a BA (Maths, Arabic) & an LLB (Bachelor of Laws) from University of the Punjab, Lahore.
Political career
Pre-independence
Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi commenced his political career with the Congress party. After attending the 1940 Lahore Conference held by the All India Muslim League, Lord Malhi recognised the immense potential Muslim League held in representing the Muslims of India. Lord Malhi joined Muslim League's Sialkot chapter and rapidly ascended to become its President.
In 1943 Lord Malhi met Quaid-i-Azam at Jinnah House in Malabar Hill, Bombay. It was on the advise of Lord Malhi that the historical Sialkot Convention was planned in Punjab. Held in Sialkot city in May 1944, this convention was attended by Quaid-i-Azam, Liaquat Ali Khan, Khawaja Nazimuddin, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar, Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan, Mian Mumtaz Daultana, Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan and Nawab Iftikhar Hussain Khan of Mamdot amongst other Muslim League luminaries.[2][3][4]
The Sialkot convention was a milestone in Muslim – Hindu politics. This convention is widely regarded as the landmark event which catapulted Muslim League into prominence in undivided Punjab. It broke the Unionist Party's hold over the Muslims of Punjab and swayed their sentiments towards Muslim League and the Pakistan movement, paving to the eventual formation of Pakistan.
Acknowledging the convention's impact Quaid-E-Azam commented "I have a feeling today, that Pakistan has come into existence".[2][3][4] Muhammad Ali Jinnah attributed the success of this convention to Lord Malhi. Embracing him he stated "Mr Malhi, no doubt, you are Lord Malhi".[3][4]
Post-independence
Post independence Chaudhry Naseer Malhi remained a prominent legislator. It was Quaid-E-Azam's decision to appoint Lord Malhi as Pakistan's second Prime Minister after Liaquat Ali Khan. Muhammad Ali Jinnah personally notified Lord Malhi of this decision, however due to Quaid-E-Azam's sudden death this writ was never executed.
Regardless, as an active member of Pakistan’s political elite, Lord Malhi served as the Minister of Education, Law and Parliamentary Affairs.[3][4] It was during his tenure that school uniforms were introduced in Pakistan. He excluded Aitchison College from the list of schools receiving government assistance on the rationale that such elite institutions did not require federal aid.
Greeting Mrs Roosevelt at dinner hosted as Pakistan's Ambassador to the UN.
Lord Malhi was designated the leadership for Pakistan's delegation to the Geneva Conference in 1955. Here he delivered a speech defending the rights of Afro-Asian countries. He was awarded a Gold Medal from the convention. Following this success, Lord Malhi then lead Pakistan’s delegation to the United Nations. Here he addressed the United Nations assembly on the political challenges facing South Asia. This speech was recognised for it’s insight and he was awarded by the sitting assembly.
In an effort to raise his fledgling nation's profile, Lord Malhi hosted a historic dinner for Eleanor Roosevelt, President of the United Nations General Assembly and former First Lady of the United States.[4]
With the advent of martial law in the early sixties, Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi became a vociferous opponent to the government of General Ayub Khan. In 1965 he allied with and supported Fatima Jinnah in her bid to democratically dislodge Ayub Khan from his assumed office.
Lord Malhi was offered key ministry posts during Nawab of Kalabagh's tenure as Chief Minister of West Pakistan. Though close personal friends, Chaudhry Naseer Malhi declined on ideological differences. He was later offered a ministry post by General Zia but he again declined.
Chaudhry Naseer Malhi successfully retained his seat in the National Assembly until 1971. With the dismemberment of East Pakistan and disappointed with the corrupt politicking of the ensuing politicians, he unofficially withdrew from electoral politics.
Despite his withdrawal from active political life, Lord Malhi remained an established member of Pakistan’s elite intellectual and political circles.
Legacy
Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi died peacefully on 12 July 1991. An egalitarian, he left behind a legacy of brilliant intellect, high character, an incorruptible integrity and altruism in both his political and personal lives.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah ranked him amongst his most able stalwarts. Pakistan recognises him as one of its most dedicated founding fathers.[4]
Trivia
- Chaudhry Naseer Malhi and Faiz Ahmad Faiz were relatives.
- Chaudhry Naseer Malhi is the paternal uncle to Pakistan's Defense Secretary and Federal Interior Minister General Hamid Nawaz.
- Chaudhry Naseer Malhi was Chairman of the reception committee for Sialkot Convention.
- Chaudhry Naseer Malhi refused all salaries while in office.
- Chaudhry Naseer Malhi made history by becoming the first Asian man to host a White House dinner and pay from his personal finances.[4]
- The bill for Sialkot convention (Rs 40,000 in 1944, equivalent to several crore in today's currency) was paid by Lord Malhi’s father Chaudhry Ghualm Haider Malhi, the largest landlord in district Sialkot at the time. This was unique for the Muslim League.
- Chaudhry Ali Gohar Malhi governed lands between River Chenab and River Ravi. This encompassed all areas between Wazirabad and Shahdara.
See also
References
- ^ http://ahmadiyya.org/books/m-kabir/mjk3-4a.htm
- ^ a b Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi (Marhoom)- Nawai-Waqt: 12 July 2004
- ^ a b c d Tehreek Ae Pakistan kae Mumtaz Rehnama Lord Malhi ko Kharij Akeedat by Muhammad Badur Muneer – Nawai-Waqt: 12 July 2003
- ^ a b c d e f g Be-silsela Tehreek-ae Pakistan −1: Lord Malhi – Quaid-E-Azam Kae Qabel Aitmaad Rafeek Kaar by Muhammad Badur Muneer
External links
- Famous personalities of Sialkot
- http://www.world66.com/asia/southasia/pakistan/sialkot/history
- http://www.sialkotexport.com/personalities.aspx
Categories:- Pakistani people
- Pakistan Movement
- Pakistani politicians
- Leaders of the Pakistan Movement
- People from Sialkot
- 1991 deaths
- 1911 births
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