Qazi Muhammad Essa

Qazi Muhammad Isa (17 July 1914 – 19 June 1976) was a Pakistani founding father, diplomat and statesman who led the Pakistan Movement in Balochistan. He was a signatory of the Lahore Resolution, representing the Balochistan Province.

Early life and career Qazi Muhammad Isa was born on 17 July 1914 in Pishin District, Balochistan. He received his basic education in Quetta. In 1933, he went to England for higher studies and received his law degree from Middle Temple, London. After returning to British India, he started practicing law in Bombay in 1938 where he first met Jinnah.

He participated in the formation of the first Muslim political party in what was to become Pakistan, (All-India Muslim league) Balochistan before 1947. He was from a Sunni Hazara of Sheikh Ali tribe, whose ancestors had migrated from Kandahar, Afghanistan to Pishin in Balochistan, Pakistan.

"After having been called to Bar in January 1939, he returned home and met Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Bombay. He was so impressed with his ideas and personality that on his return to Balochistan, he founded the All-India Muslim League in his province."

He represented Balochistan in the 1940 Lahore Resolution (Qarardad-e-Lahore قرارداد لاھور), commonly known as the Pakistan Resolution (قرارداد پاکستان Qarardad-e-Pakistan). Qazi Faez Isa, later, served as 29th Chief Justice of Pakistan from 17 September 2023 to 25 October 2024.

Later, Qazi Muhammad Isa served as Ambassador of Pakistan to Brazil from 1951 to 1953. He also was a member of Pakistan delegations to the United Nations in 1950, 1954 and 1974. He was appointed member of the Committee on Minorities in the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.

Death and legacy Qazi Muhammad Isa died on 19 June 1976. Qazi Isa devotedly served the Muslim League for 37 years. Among his survivors are some notable Pakistani personalities.