Malik Barkat Ali, freedom fighter and a close friend of Quaid-e-Azam
His services are yet to be recognized as there are very few people in Pakistan who know him.
(Web Desk) – Pakistan came into being after numerous sacrifices. Millions of people directly and indirectly affected; many lost their lives while other got collapsed financially. Creation of Pakistan on 14th August was the result of incessant struggle of Muslim League, its leaders and common Muslims. The entire Muslim nation in Sub-continent was led by some vital personalities also called founding fathers of Pakistan. Malik Barkat Ali was one of them. He was a close comrade of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Allama Iqbal. He took part in politics avidly under the umbrella of Muslim League. He was born on 1st April 1886 in a middle class Kakezai family from Lahore. He was a lawyer, writer, and a politician who took keen interest in the affairs of Muslims particularly those living in Punjab.
Malik Barkat Ali was an ardent supporter of Pakistani cause, and for this he put all his efforts throughout his life. Photo: File
Malik Barkat Ali got his early education from public school and then managed to win scholarship to Forman Christian College and started his professional career in the same institution as a professor of English Literature. After passing his LLB exams, he was selected as Junior Magistrate in the Punjab Service in 1908. He practiced law full-time. He performed editing duties in “The Observer” English weekly. Working here helped him in gaining prominence in politics. His writings peeved Punjab Governor Michael O’Dwyer, under whose regime a cruel, barbaric incident Jallianwala Bagh massacre, also known as the Amritsar massacre happened. He, O’Dwyer, banned its publication on June 18, 1918. Later on, the newspaper closed from functioning.
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The All-India Muslim League Working Committee at the 1937 Lucknow session. Malik Barkat Ali standing forth from right. Photo: Nawab M. Ismail Khan family archive
Allama Iqbal was his true inspiration
His political career initiated in 1916 when he joined the Punjab Provincial Muslim League. Indeed he was truly inspired by Allama Iqbal. His political activities led him to Punjab Legislative Assembly in 1937. During his membership, he presented the league’s agenda alone. Only two Muslim League candidates were in the assembly. The other was Raja Ghazanfar Ali who later joined Unionist Party, a political competitive of Muslim League. He was also close to Allama Iqbal. Both of them usually used to discuss political matters together. Malik Barkat Ali participated in annual sessions of Muslim League which were held in Bombay, Aligarh and Delhi on 1924, 1925 and 1926 respectively.
The galaxy of gentlemen and a lady. Some of the most prominent facets of the league can be gazed upon in this photograph -- Nawab M. Ismail Khan, M. A. Jinnah, Raja Amir Ahmed Khan of Mehmoodabad, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, Khawaja Nazimuddin, Begum Johar, Malik Barkat Ali, and so forth. Photo: Nawab M. Ismail Khan family archive
Bhagat Singh trial and his evident role in Pakistan Resolution
His prominent contributions were on Bhagat Singh trial and drafting of Lahore Resolution, famously Pakistan Resolution. Malik Barkat Ali along with Allama Iqbal, Norang, and Nanka Chand were against the trial of celebrated freedom fighter of Sub-continent Bhagat Singh. In this regard, they moved a joint resolution in Lahore High Court’s Bar. He was also member of All India Muslim League’s Working Committee which was tasked with the designing of famous Pakistan Resolution.
“I am deeply grieved to hear the very depressing and sad news of the sudden death of Malik Barkat Ali. He was, from the very beginning, a true and loyal member of the Muslim League, and on all occasions, he rendered the greatest service to Muslim India. His advice and staunch support on all occasions was of greatest value to the League and myself. Muslim India has lost in him a great man, and I have lost in him not only a colleague, a collaborator, but also a great friend. My deepest sympathies go out to his family in their bereavement for their irreparable loss.”
Creation of Pakistan after his death
Sadly, he died on April 5, 1946, just one year before the creation of Pakistan, while addressing a special tribunal on the Burma Fraud Case. He undoubtedly was a staunch supporter of Pakistan but just like many other freedom fighters like Allama Iqbal, he could not see Pakistan, a free and independent homeland for the Muslims who have been suffering in the hands of Hindus and English rulers. Factually speaking, his services are yet to be recognized as there are very few people in Pakistan who knew him and the services he rendered for the creation of independent country we are living in.
The worth of Malik Barkat Ali as a freedom fighter and a solider of Pakistan can be assessed from the tribute that “Father of Nation” Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah paid to him in special session of All-India Muslim League held in 1946 attended by 470 elected Muslim members.
“I am deeply grieved to hear the very depressing and sad news of the sudden death of Malik Barkat Ali. He was, from the very beginning, a true and loyal member of the Muslim League, and on all occasions, he rendered the greatest service to Muslim India. His advice and staunch support on all occasions was of greatest value to the League and myself. Muslim India has lost in him a great man, and I have lost in him not only a colleague, a collaborator, but also a great friend. My deepest sympathies go out to his family in their bereavement for their irreparable loss.”
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Pakistan Post Office remembering and honouring Malik Barkat Ali issued a postage stamp part of its ‘Pioneers of Freedom’ series. Photo: File
Still a long way is to pass to reach at founding father’s Pakistan. The new country was meant to be a democratic and progressive one, and most important of all a social welfare state in its true sense. Pakistan at this moment is encircled with countless social ills which nation can only get rid of if it stays united. On this 14 August, let us pledge to work for Pakistan selflessly. This also applies to the new government with new members who took oath today.
