The 49th death anniversary of Madre-Millat Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah, sister of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan was observed with due reverence and solemnity across the country on Saturday. Various political party and women organisations held conferences and seminars to highlight the services rendered by Fatima Jinnah. The radio, TV channels and newspapers, on the other hand have also addressed her role during the creation of Pakistan.
Fatima Jinnah played a vital role in the creation of Pakistan. Mohammad Ali Jinnah was deeply affected after his wife's death in 1929. Fatima Jinnah worked side by side with Mohammad Ali Jinnah and gathered the Muslim women of the sub-continent on one platform and made the struggle for achieving a separate state for Muslims easier.
In 1947, Fatima Jinnah formed the Women's Relief Committee, which later formed the nucleus for the All Pakistan Women s Association (APWA). She also played a significant role in the settlement of Muslim refugees in newly created Pakistan. Fatima Jinnah is referred to as Madar-i-Millat (Mother of the Nation) for her role in the Freedom Movement. She returned to the political forefront to contest the 1964 general elections at the age of 71 against military dictator, Ayub Khan.
Fatima Jinnah died in Karachi on 9th July 1967. The official cause of her death was reported as heart failure, but rumors suggest she was murdered at her house. It is claimed that some officials of the local Karachi police said that she was found beheaded in her drawing room. Fatima Jinnah, is still remembered for her passionate support of civil rights, and devoted struggle in Pakistan Movement.