Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan, the right hand man of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, commands a special place in Pakistan’s history, but the dilapidated condition of his tomb in Pind Dadan Khan depicts a waning interest in his accomplishments by his compatriots.
A close associate of Jinnah, the late Raja Ghazanfar Ali Khan was sworn in as the first Minister of Food, Agriculture and Health of Pakistan on August 15, 1947.
He was born on August 16, 1895 in Pind Dadan Khan in Jhelum district. Prior to the independence of Pakistan, he was also a member of the Central Legislative Assembly, Council of State and the Punjab Assembly.
Among several appointments in various ministries of the first cabinet of Pakistan, Ghazanfar was also the Minister for Resettlement and Refugees. He also served as Pakistan's ambassador to Iran, India, Turkey and Italy.
He died on April 17, 1963 and was buried in his native village Pind Dadan Khan.
In recognition of his historic services, former Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Khan Junejo had his mausoleum erected in the city of Pind Dadan Khan.
Unfortunately, the tomb is in a precarious condition, with its walls crumbling and heaps of rubbish as well as stagnant water accumulating within its premises.
New roads were built in the vicinity of the mausoleum, but no attention was paid to the drainage system, resulting in rains and water from the sewers weakening the foundations of the tomb.
Annual celebrations of independence are arranged every year on August 14 at the mausoleum and are observed with great fervour along with a brief flag-raising ceremony. Sadly, the site is almost immediately abandoned after each celebration and the world seems to forget the historical figure for another year.
Public and social circles have put forth their demand to Pind Dadan Khan Assistant Commissioner (AC) Malik Noor Zaman and Jhelum Deputy Commissioner Noman Hafeez for repairs and restoration of the notable on an urgent basis.
When contacted, AC Zaman and National Accountability Bureau prosecutor Chaudhry Faisal Farid assured The Express Tribune that swift measures will be taken to initiate renovations of the historic site.
They further said that work will be started soon to reverse the damage inflicted over the years on the mausoleum’s library, lights and any other fixtures.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2022.
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