Here are some glimpses of National politics being reflected in the Dow Medical College campus in the early 1960’s
when Dow Medical College had an active Student’s Union with democratically elected student representatives.
Student Unions were banned in 1999 or so.
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto at the Dow Medical College, Karachi adressing
students in 1967. Mairaj Mohammed Khan and Rasheed Hasan Khan are
in the audience. Photo courtesy of Dr. G.N. Kazi and Dr. Salman Faridi (Dow 1977)
J.A. Rahim is in the audience. He was the author of Pakistan People’s Party original manifesto
but later fell out with Bhutto following an incident that has become folklore in Pakistan
political history. Photo courtesy of Dr. G.N. Kazi and Dr. Salman Faridi (Dow 1977)
Added by Dr. Salim Chowdhrey from USA and a Dow Graduate
” Interesting pictures but for they do not belong together. The lower picture is definitely of a different venue.
The NSF function hosting Bhutto was held on the concrete cricket pitch next to the boundary wall on the Bunder road side. By the time Bhutto arrived about 11 p.m. the wall had been demolished by the outside Public and Bunder road was completely blocked. No traffic. This third picture is indoors; notice the pillars and the walls?
In the first picture Mairaj Mohammed Khan Sahib with the badge is easily identified. The next man to his right and one over, with a badge does not look like Rashid Hasan Khan, in face or physique; and no trade mark thick frame glasses . He is a dedicated NSF worker, I think from Karachi University. I am unable to identify any Dow students in the crowd. I do not think this a Dow crowd. Entire Dow then was less then a thousand students. Out of them NSF was less than 500 students. Everyone knew almost everyone.
The speaker does not appear to be Mr. Bhutto.He was not in dark clothes. I could be mistaken but I do not remember any desk or podium in front of him. Watching his flamboyant gestures was a pure treat, along with his mimicry of several people. Most,detailed lasting several minutes , entertaining and side-splitting was of Ambassador Agha Shahi. Mr.Bhutto spoke for 2 1/2 to 3 hours after Mairaj Mohammed Khan Sahib had spoken for over an hour. This reminds me, both Mairaj and Rashid Sahiban were sitting on the stage, Mairaj Sahib alongside Mr. Bhutto. There is a banner in Urdu script in the picture. I remember an NSF and a Dow banner, both in English.
No question this is an NSF meeting . It is not the one you are referring to. And that one was in 1967. It was before the launch of PPP.
In his several meetings with us (NSF) Mr. Bhutto frequently spoke of Islamic Socialism. The slogan : Roti Kapra aur Makaan was yet to come.
The only picture of that meeting I saw recently was printed in Dawn in Nadeem Piracha’s Blog tracing the history of PPP. However he mislabeled it as University of Karachi. In that picture besides Mairaj Sahib and Rashid Hasan Khan, my classmate Dr. Mohammed Taqi currently of Towson Maryland is standing behind these folks.
More of our meetings with ZAB is coming back but the hour is late. Maybe more later SalimC” July 22 2014
Added by Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Kassi from UK July 10 2014
Amin Bhai, Salim bhai is absolutely right about the events of ZAB. He was given first public rostrum for his appearance after his return from Islamabad, after resigning fro his ministry. I think professor Waheed was the principle of DMC. And Dost Mohammad was the president of DMCSU. It was exciting time. Zahida Khaliq Zaman was the health minister in Ayub’s government. She rang professor Waheed the night before the meeting. And warned him: if Bhutto was allowed to speak in DMC, at a public meeting then all the students involved in the organisation of the meeting will be terminated from the roll of DMC. That night Dost Muhammad, Rasheed Hasan Khan and other NSF activists went to see ZAB in Clifton. He was told about the threat to the students by Zahida Khaliq Zaman. He had a glass of whiskey in his hand, he raised the glass and said in a dramatic manner: “if there is going to be any bloodshed in DMC tomorrow, then my blood will be the first to drop on the grounds of DMC”. The NSF leader were excited. The gates of DMC were locked; but the determination of NSF was strong and nothing could stop them. All the stage and chairs were shifted over the bolted gates the next day an hour before ZAB arrival. ZAB came through secretly through the casualty, the only door not guarded by plain clothes police. Now just imagine the atmosphere that was electric as soon as Bhutto took the rostrum. It was just fantastic. The success of NSF was just admirable to say the least. The relationship between Bhutto and NSF went cold once he became Marshall law Administrator after Yahya’s resignation. ZAB started showing his true colour of arrogance and waderashahi. It is now a history fading away in the memory closets of our minds, but still exciting by the very thought of it reeling. AGK
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto at Dow Medical College, 1967.
From Left to right: Mairaj Mohammed Khan, ZAB,
Rashid Hasan Khan, Dost Mohammed (President, Dow
Medical College Students’ Union 1967-68) and standing is
Dr. Taqi who now lives in Maryland.
Comment from Dr. Salim Chowdhrey, Dow Graduate.
“Amin Bhai, Dr Kassi is correct in identifying the people including Dost Mohammad my classmate and friend.He was I think then President Dow Students Union. In the back is Dr.Taqi now living in Towson Maryland.This is the photograph I mentioned.It was printed in Nadeem Piracha’s blog in Dawn. This is the meeting that gave Mr.Bhutto his first ever real public forum after being declared personna non grata by President Ayub Khan. Before this he did speak at the Lahore Railway station on his way home to Karachi.
It took many visits to 70 Clifton to arrange this.Dr.Shah (a noble man) our Principal, was under a lot of pressure to prevent Mr.Bhutto from speaking at Dow. He summoned Rashid Hasan Khan to his office .A few of us went along. Dr Shah had offered several alternatives to Rashid previously.He now told him, Bhutto will not be permitted to come.
O n that day there were 15_20lb locks on all the doors. We hoisted Mr Bhutto over the gates. Just then the supporting wall crumpled.
About the dark suit I stand corrected. Could it be he took off his jacket to speak? I do not know or remember .
Kind regards
