KARACHI: Eighty million Pakistanis all over the country observed the first death anniversary of the Father of the Nation on Sunday [Sept 11]. No tributes were spared by a grateful nation to the memory of its founder. … Prayers were offered in mosques, churches, and temples all over the country for the peace of the Quaid-i-Azam’s soul… .

Gloom and reverential silence once again enveloped Karachi and silent sorrowful processions marched to the Quaid-e-Azam’s grave from early morning to midnight. Men, women and children carrying flowers came to the Quaid-i-Azam’s Mazar in their thousands to pay homage to the Father of the Nation. As the day wore out, a greater number of people came in endless stream… . Women were weeping. Their grim faces manifested their determination and faith to make the legacy which the Quaid-i-Azam had left, great and happy.

Miss Jinnah came at 11 a.m. The crowd respectfully gave way to the woman who was the most devoted as a sister to the Quaid-i-Azam. She stayed for 15 minutes. A strange silence prevailed. All hum came to a quiet. Miss Jinnah was visibly moved and overwhelmed with grief.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2024