THIS refers to the report “NA passes resolution seeking to name Islamabad’s airport after Benazir Bhutto” (Oct 14) according to which the National Assembly approved with a majority a resolution seeking to rename the international airport in the capital city after former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.

One may recognise Benazir’s role in strengthening the rule of democracy in Pakistan, but a parliamentarian, while opposing the resolution in the house, rightly stated that “there are many institutions and places which had been named after her”.

Now is surely the time to honour some stalwarts of the Pakistan movement by naming important buildings and institutions after them. The first name that comes into mind is that of Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, the ‘right hand man’ of the father of the nation, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

Sadly, just an underpass in Lahore has been named after him, which is more of an insult and injustice to a towering personality. The great man sacrificed everything of his own, even his life, for Pakistan.

Surprisingly, when the new Islamabad airport was to be inaugurated, a four-member committee had suggested a list of four names that had Liaquat Ali Khan on the top of it. This was so because Liaquat Ali Khan was the only among all the freedom movement leaders and workers whose services and struggle the Quaid had acknowledged in stellar words.

Just one of his quote would suffice. “The Nawabzada had worked day and night, and none could possibly have an idea of the great burden he shouldered. Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan commands the universal respect and confidence of the Musalmans. Though a Nawabzada, he is a thorough proletarian, and I hope other Nawabs in the country will follow his example.” Unfortunately, the name and landmark achievements of Liaquat Ali Khan are fading away in the history of Pakistan.

In neighbouring India, after Mohandas Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru is considered the second most important leader of the freedom movement, but in Pakistan, the ‘right hand man’ of Jinnah has been deliberately sidelined by the people in authority.

It is sincererly hoped that the government will seriously reconsider the matter and would name the international airport in Islamabad after the great Liaquat Ali Khan.

Aamir Aqil
Lahore

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2022