Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi | |
|---|---|
 Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi | |
 Minister for Law, Education & Parliamentary Affairs | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 August 1911 Baddomalhi,Sialkot District,British India |
| Died | 12 July 1991 at age 79 Baddomalhi,Narowal, Pakistan |
| Political party | Muslim League |
| Spouse | Shamim Akhtar |
| Children | Afzaal Malhi Sheraza Malhi Fayyaz Malhi Tanweer Malhi |
| Alma mater | University of the Punjab |
| Profession | Politician Pakistan Movement activist |
Naseer Ahmad Malhi (Urdu:چودھری نصیر احمد ملہی) (15 August 1911 – 12 July 1991) was a Pakistani politician, known for playing a pivotal role in the formation of theIslamic Republic of Pakistan. Malhi is recognised as one of the nation's activists of thePakistan Movement.[1]
Malhi was a leading member of theMuslim League and was at the forefront of thePakistan Movement. A lifetime member of the Muslim League, he belonged to the gentry ofPunjab and served asWest Pakistan's first Minister of Education.
Lord Malhi also led Pakistan's delegation to theUnited Nations General Assembly in 1955.
Naseer Ahmad Malhi was born as the second son of Chaudhry Ghulam Haider Malhi, in 1911, in the town ofBaddomalhi, inSialkot district into theMalhi clan of theJutt tribe. Malhi's father was the leading land-owning farmer of the district, one of the elites of Punjab, was noted for his philanthropy, and was decorated by the British Governor for his services to the community. Malhi's great-grandfather, Chaudhry Ali Gohar Malhi, served as Governor ofPunjab during the reign ofMaharajaRanjit Singh who ruled Punjab from 1801 to 1839.[1]
Naseer Ahmad Malhi received his primary and secondary education at G.H. (Ghulam Haider) Muslim High School, named after his father, who was encouraged by SirSyed Ahmad Khan to found this school in 1898, to educate aspiring students. The school was noted for offering free tuition and books to economically disadvantaged pupils. The educational expenses of these students were personally met by Malhi's father.[1]
After his secondary education, Malhi went on to earn aBachelor of Arts (BA) degree inmathematics andArabic fromGovernment College Lahore (GCU) and aBachelor of Laws (LLB) from theUniversity of the Punjab,Lahore.[1]
Malhi commenced his political career with theCongress Party. After attending the 1940Lahore Conference held by theAll India Muslim League, he recognised the immense potential that theMuslim League had for representing the Muslims of India. He joined the Muslim League's Sialkot chapter and rapidly ascended to become its president.[2]
In 1943, Malhi metMuhammad Ali Jinnah atJinnah Mansion onMalabar Hill,Bombay. It was on Malhi's advice that what became the historic Sialkot Convention was planned by theAll-India Muslim League for Punjab. Held inSialkot city in May 1944, this convention was attended by Jinnah,Liaquat Ali Khan,Khawaja Nazimuddin,Muhammad Zafarullah Khan,Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar,Sardar Shaukat Hayat Khan,Mumtaz Daultana,Maulvi Tamizuddin Khan,Iftikhar Hussain Khan Mamdot andMian Iftikharuddin among other Muslim League leaders.[2][3][4][5]
The Sialkot Convention in May 1944 was a milestone in Muslim–Hindu politics. It is widely regarded by Pakistani historians as the landmark event which brought the Muslim League into prominence in undivided Punjab. It broke theUnionist Party's hold over the Muslims of Punjab and swayed their sentiments towards the Muslim League and the Pakistan movement, paving the way for the eventual formation of Pakistan.[2][6]
Realizing the convention's impact, Jinnah reportedly stated, "I have a feeling today, that Pakistan has come into existence".[2][3][4][5] Jinnah attributed the success of this convention to Malhi. Embracing him, he reportedly commented, "Mr. Malhi, no doubt, you are Lord Malhi".[2][4][5] Jinnah made Malhi the head of the Muslim League of Punjab, a post that Malhi maintained until 1971.[2]
After the independence of Pakistan, Lord Malhi served as Pakistan's:
- Minister of Education- Minister of Law- Minister of Prisons- Minister of Planning- Minister of Parliamentary Affairs
It was during his tenure as Minister of Education that school uniforms were introduced in Pakistan.[2] He excludedAitchison College from the list of schools receiving government assistance on the rationale that such elite institutions did not require federal aid.[1]
Chaudhry Naseer Malhi led Pakistan's delegation at theGeneva Conference in 1955. At this conference he delivered a speech defending the rights of Afro-Asian countries and was awarded a gold medal. Following this success, Malhi led Pakistan's delegation to theUnited Nations, where he addressed theUnited Nations General Assembly on the political challenges facing South Asia.[1]
In his efforts to elevate Pakistan's image, Malhi hosted an historic dinner forEleanor Roosevelt, President of theUnited Nations General Assembly and formerFirst Lady of the United States.[5]
With the advent ofmartial law in the early sixties, Malhi became a vociferous opponent of the government ofGeneral Ayub Khan. In 1965, he allied himself with and supportedFatima Jinnah in her bid to democratically dislodge Ayub Khan from his assumed office.
Malhi was offered key ministry posts during theNawab of Kalabagh's tenure as Chief Minister ofWest Pakistan. Though they were close personal friends, Malhi declined to accept the posts because of ideological differences. He was later offered a ministry post byGeneral Zia, but he again declined.
Malhi successfully retained his seat in theNational Assembly until 1971. As a result of the secession ofEast Pakistan and his disappointment with the corrupt politicking of later politicians, he retired from electoral politics.[1]
Naseer Ahmad Malhi died on 12 July 1991 at age 79.[1]
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