Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan

Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan (13 November 1916 – 27 September 2003) was a statesman in British India and later Pakistan. He was also a prominent Urdu poet. He was the only West Pakistani to have served as the leader of the Awami League.

Early life and education He was born in Khangarh, Muzaffargarh District in Punjab in a prominent land-owning aristocratic family. Following the tradition of the elite of British India, he was educated at Aitchison College in Lahore.

Political career He started his political career in 1933 by joining the anti-British Majlis-e-Ahrar-e-Islam, soon after it was formed by Syed Ata ullah Shah Bukhari. Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan, coming from a background with ties to the Indian National Congress and Majlis-e-Ahrar-ul-Islam, opposed the Muslim League and its demand for the partition of India. He was also a protege of Syed Ata ullah Shah Bukhari.

However, he changed course and joined the All-India Muslim League in 1947 after the partition of India and the creation of Pakistan occurred. He won a seat of Provincial Assembly of Punjab in general elections in 1952 and the National Assembly of Pakistan seat in the 1962 general elections.

In 1964, he supported Fatima Jinnah in the election against president Ayub Khan.

In 1966, he served as the President of the Awami League party mostly active in former East Pakistan. In June 1967, he founded his own political party named as Pakistan Democratic Party and served its chairman till his death in 2003. Just before his death, he was the Chairman of Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) working for the restoration of democracy in Pakistan against General Pervez Musharraf.

Another major English-language newspaper The Nation ran his obituary in its editorial - titled, 'Death of a veteran'.

Books Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan authored and was the subject of several books, which include compilations of his speeches, writings, and memoirs reflecting his long career in politics and his advocacy for democracy in Pakistan. Notable works include:

, In Search of Democracy — a collection of his speeches and writings on parliamentary democracy and civilian supremacy in Pakistan. , My Observations — memoirs recounting his experiences during the Pakistan Movement and his role in opposition politics. , Democracy and Dictatorship in Pakistan — a critical commentary on the struggle between democratic forces and military dictatorships. , Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan: Life and Service — a biographical account compiled by his contemporaries, featuring his letters and articles.

Many of his speeches delivered in the National Assembly and at political rallies have also been compiled and published posthumously, highlighting his lifelong commitment to democratic ideals and constitutionalism.

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