The picture of Fatima Jinnah was put around the bitch's neck and rotated | Election 1965 | Ayub khan
Madar-e-Millat: the Flickering light from Fatima Jinnah’s Lantern

Ayub Khan vs Madar-e-Millat: the Flickering light from Fatima Jinnah’s Lantern

"The flickering light from Fatima Jinnah’s lantern showed us the path to get rid of the first usurper. As the first fading generation of Pakistan at least we have succeeded in keeping the flame of freedom alight hoping that the struggle would continue even when we are not there to lead.

By 1965 Ayub Khan had managed to declare himself Field Marshal and omnipotent ruler of the first Islamic Democracy of the world. Like most dictators and political upstarts he sought legitimacy for his rule. His son Capt (R) Gohar Ayub Khan was the heir apparent to the Ayub Dynasty of Haripur.

Presidential elections were announced under his own imposed constitution of 1962 in which the electoral college consisted of 40,000 members from each wing called Basic Democrats (BD Members ). He chose ‘Rose’ as his election symbol, it was not the local small aromatic variety called ‘Desi Gulab’ rather an imported large variety was chosen that looked impressive but lacked aroma or character.
The other notable collection was at Packages Limited on Ferozepur Road. Growing up in Lahore, I was quite content with the local variety but my Uncle Aurangzeb Malik, who lived in Rawalpindi, took a keen interest in flowers and had a collection of his own. With him I had the chance of visiting all these exotic collections of imported flowers for the elite.

The lawyers decided to challenge the self-bestowed rank of Field Marshal in the Lahore High Court, to avoid embarrassment he withdrew it unilaterally. Now it was General Muhammad Ayub Khan versus Madar-e-Millat

With the announcement of the election, the Rose was all over. A run-over victory was projected for the usurper. As a serious Badminton and Table Tennis player, I was on my way to the YMCA Hall for practice, I saw a car parked outside the Light House, the famous outlet on the Mall, with a Lantern on its roof while the owner had gone inside the shop.
It turned out to be a one-on-one contest between frivolous pomp and show on borrowed money represented by the imported Rose and an indigenous source of light to enlighten and guide the nation through the prevailing darkness of dictatorship that had divided the population into haves and have-nots.

Wherever she went the crowds greeted her. She challenged the rule of the dictator, rejected his imposed constitution and demanded the restoration of the 1956 consensual version to be implemented, which meant returning to parliamentary democracy. The lawyers decided to challenge the self-bestowed rank of Field Marshal in the Lahore High Court, to avoid embarrassment he withdrew it unilaterally. Now it was General Muhammad Ayub Khan versus Madar-e-Millat.

In East Pakistan her reception was tumultuous. All major cities where the Patwaris and Police were not in control, she was an easy winner. Despite all the administrative pressures she prevailed in Karachi and Dacca. Her victory in two major cities of the country seriously dented the invincibility of the dictator and proved to be the beginning of the end for him.
Quite like Suharwardy, she too was found dead in her bed in July 1967. According to Sardar Sahib who attended her funeral, she had strangulation marks on her neck. A case was registered regarding her mysterious death but never investigated.
In March 1969 Ayub Khan was removed through massive student protests all over the country. His Pakistan Muslim League (Convention) contested the 1970 elections with the symbol of cycle but badly lost in both the wings. In West Bhutto’s ‘Sword’ and in East Pakistan Mujib’s ‘Boat’ prevailed. After the 1977 disputed elections, Sardar Sahib again tried to save democ
According to the 1973 Constitution, the post of Prime Minister could not be kept vacant, and in case of resignation, the senior-most minister was required to take over. Sardar Sahib tried for an in-house change, but his efforts did not succeed and Zia took over on 5 July 1977, plunging the country into another era of political dark ages from which the nation had barely emerged after the break-up of Quaid’s Pakistan.
‘Desi Gulab’ plays an important role in our lives. Its beauty, aroma and character is unmatched by any imported variety. It can be seen and smelt in our weddings, Sufi Shrines and graveyards. I remember as a child I used to visit the old flower market in Lohari Gate outside Anarkali, and it was always overflowing with our King of Flowers.
It is still the country’s largest selling variety which is sold in several forms; garlands, petals, floral and wedding decorations etc. Even politicians and criminals use them when they manage to get bail from our weak legal system. Ayub Khan was imposed on us, he then tried to sell what was not required by the nation.

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