The Quaid-i-Azam as a parliamentarian.

Qaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had many qualities as a lawyer, a parliamentarian and as a public leader. As a public leader, despite the odds against him, he had performed the political miracle of the 20th century by founding an independent country, Pakistan, out of nowhere. In all these top qualities, his mental powers, oratory, determination, honesty and straight forwardness helped him greatly. Here, his achievements mainly as a parliamentarian are being discussed hoping this may help the modern parliamentarians to do some soul searching which is the need of the hour.

The Quaid was attracted to politics when still in London studying law and attended the British Parliament regularly. The ways, manners, gestures and even the dress of prominent members formed a lasting impression on his mind.

His reader's tickets to the British Museum are still preserved. He read all the significant speeches of important parliamentarians there and this had formed the background of his parliamentary career. The Quaid himself had leanings towards liberalism. He was not a narrow-minded sectarian and intolerant politician, and throughout his parliamentary career he always stood for liberal policies.

Mr. Jinnah started his parliamentary career with election to the Imperial Legislative Council in 1909. He remained its member till March 28, 1919. He resigned in protest against the Rowlatt Act. Mr. Jinnah, speaking on the Bill, vehemently opposed it as a 'new shackle on the freedom of the people.' But despite his protest, the Rowlatt Bill was passed because of the government majority.

When the Central Legislative Assembly came into being, he was again elected from a Bombay Urban constituency on 14 November 1923. In October 1934 he was re-elected. When Pakistan came into being he was elected Chairman of the National Assembly- a post he had held till his death on 11 September 1948.

He always chose his words carefully and never retracted any, once uttered. His critics, whether Judges, Viceroys or Pundits, usually received humiliating tongue lashings for any barb. He was not known to sit silent at the slightest reprimand.

In 1926, when elected to the Indian Legislative Council, he joined the 'independent' group and became its leader. At that time the British Parliament had sent Sir John Simon to find out the public opinion in India. Jinnah and other Indian leaders boycotted the Commission ,which did not consist even a single Indian member,with the slogan 'Go back...