ABDULLAH Haroon is remembered year after year for his notable contributions not only to the Pakistan Movement and the political role he played in this, but also for contributing to the economic and social uplift of the subcontinent’s Muslims.

Hence today, on his death anniversary, it would be relevant to recount what some of his well-known contemporaries and chroniclers had to say about the late business magnate, politician and philanthropist.

Speaking to this paper in 1964, former Karachi mayor Hatim A. Alavi said about Sir Abdullah Haroon that “imagine, for instance, how would the cause of Pakistan have fared if (former) Sind had not been separated and continued to be as it was with the Bombay Presidency. The solid contribution of the late Haji Sahib for the separation of Sindh from Bombay Presidency was immeasurable.”

Sohrab K.H. Katrak, also a former mayor of Karachi, reflecting on Abdullah Haroon’s work ethic, recalled that “men of his type who rise from extreme poverty to power, are very few and far between in this world, and therefore deserve our respect and homage”.

Reflecting on Abdullah Haroon’s achievements both in business and charity, business mogul and philanthropist M.A. Rangoonwala told Dawn in 1964 that “The mercantile community is proud of the achievements of the late Sir Abdullah Haroon, who was not only a big business magnate and industrialist but also a philanthropist and a very intelligent, straightforward politician.” Commenting on the need for more individuals in the mould of Haji Sahib, Mr Rangoonwala observed that “men are needed who would not only make money but try to spend also generously for the [uplift] of their fellow beings and at the same time try to establish healthy politics in Pakistan.”

Testifying to the concern Abdullah Haroon had for the subcontinent’s Muslims as well as for his home province of Sindh, Jam Mir Ghulam Qadir Khan of Lasbela said that “the late Haji Sir Abdullah Haroon had the interests of Mussalmans, particularly those of Sind, uppermost in his mind and in whatever field he worked he always strove hard to improve their lot, socially, economically and politically.”

Yet Abdullah Haroon — though particularly concerned about the welfare of the subcontinent’s Muslims — was no communalist and cared for the uplift of other communities as well. As a write-up in this newspaper 50 years ago to mark his death anniversary says, “in his philanthropic undertakings he made no distinction of caste, colour or creed, though in his personal life and beliefs he was always a devout Muslim”.

His love and concern for Karachi, his birthplace and hometown, is evident in the following line: “Even today [1964] there is hardly a sector of the sprawling metropolis that has not something to [remind] the passer-by of the late Haji Sahib’s many-sided achievements.”

About his business acumen the same article states: “He rendered invaluable services in different capacities for the systematic promotion of trade and commerce” as well as the fact that “the government of the day often utilised his services and profited by his ripe experience and sound judgement.”

About the combination of Abdullah Haroon’s business acumen and political astuteness it is written: “he represented Sind continuously for 16 years at the Central Assembly, where his vast knowledge of business and finance were great assets to him, and he made a distinctive contribution to the councils of the Legislature when it deliberated the complex questions of high finance and economic organisation. On many important occasions he made his mark in shaping the country’s attitude and policy [with] regard to commercial questions of the time.”

About his relations with the father of the nation, it is written that “Sir Abdullah Haroon was a staunch supporter of the Muslim League and unfailingly loyal to the Quaid-i-Azam. As a devoted follower of the architect of Pakistan, he was truly one of the pillars of the Muslim League in Sind.”

On his outlook on life it is said Abdullah Haroon “looked upon life as an adventure and a challenge to men. He showed by his own example how honesty, faith and austerity in conduct are suitably rewarded. His quiet and unostentatious charity, his passion for reform and his eagerness to serve all noble causes, his adherence to principles in politics are not common qualities.”

Indeed in today’s rough and tumble world of both politics and commerce, austerity, honesty and faith are all missing. The leaders of today could do with taking a page out of Abdullah Haroon’s book.

The writer, HEC Distinguished National Professor, has co-edited Unesco’s History of Humanity, Vol. VI, and The Jinnah Anthology, and has recently edited In Quest of Jinnah (2007), the only oral history on Pakistan’s founding father.