Liaquat Ali Khan's murder remains mystery

Today marks the 73rd anniversary of the assassination of Pakistan's first Prime Minister, Liaquat Ali Khan, who was tragically killed on October 16, 1951, during an election rally at Liaquat Bagh, Rawalpindi. The circumstances surrounding his death remain a mystery, with ongoing questions about whether it was the result of a larger conspiracy or an individual act.

Despite multiple investigations, the case remains unresolved. Over the years, four inquiries have been conducted, including a judicial inquiry by Justice Muhammad Munir and Justice Akhtar Hussain, and a Scotland Yard inquiry by a special officer in 1954-1955, all of which concluded it was an individual murder. A separate investigation by Inspector General of Special Police Aitzazuddin ended abruptly when his plane crashed, killing him and destroying crucial case files.

An inquiry initiated by Inspector General of Special Police, Aitzazuddin, was cut short when he died in a plane crash while travelling from Karachi to Peshawar. He was carrying vital case files, which were destroyed in the crash. This incident fueled suspicions of foul play and further deepened the mystery surrounding the assassination.

The original murder case, registered under section 302 of the Pakistan Penal Code, was filed at D Division Police Station (now City Police Station) on the complaint of Inspector Agha Raza Ali. However, the case was closed without any formal charges being brought to court after Syed Akbar, the alleged assassin, was killed at the scene by police. The FIR noted that "the criminal died," ending the investigation.

On the fateful day of October 16, 1951, Liaquat Ali Khan had just begun addressing a large crowd at Liaquat Bagh when Syed Akbar, a resident of Afghanistan, fired two shots, striking him in the chest. Liaquat collapsed on stage, and chaos erupted.

SP Najaf Khan, the security officer in charge, ordered the police to "kill him." Sub-Inspector Muhammad Shah responded by shooting and killing Akbar on the spot. Liaquat Ali Khan was rushed to a nearby military hospital but succumbed to his injuries on the way. His last words were, "May God protect Pakistan."

The assassination took place under questionable circumstances. Notably, key figures such as the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, IG Punjab Qurban Ali, and DIG CID Anwar Ali were not present at the rally. At the same time, Khawaja Nazimuddin was in Nathiagali, Murree. The rally also lacked proper ambulance security, raising further questions about the event's planning.

An eyewitness, 85-year-old Malik Abdul Razzaq, who lived near Liaquat Bagh and attended the rally with his father, recalled the chaos that ensued. "As soon as the shooting started, my father said Liaquat Ali Khan had been shot. Panic spread, and everyone began fleeing."

Liaquat Ali Khan, born on October 1, 1895, in Karnal, India, was a pivotal figure in Pakistan's struggle for independence. After receiving his law degree from Oxford University, he returned to India in 1923 and became an active member of the Muslim League. Seventy-three years later, his assassination remains a deeply unsettling chapter in Pakistan's history.

The lingering questions and unresolved investigations continue to raise doubts about the true nature of his murder.