ISLAMABAD: The 125th birth anniversary of historic leader Chaudhry Rehmat Ali was observed on Wednesday across the country and tributes were paid to his active role in the history of Pakistan movement.
Chaudhry Rehmat Ali was born in a Muslim Gujjar family in Hoshiarpur District of Indian Punjab on November 16, in 1897. He is credited with coming up with the name for a separate Muslim homeland in South Asia, Pakistan.
After graduating from Islamia Madrassa, Lahore in 1918 he taught at Aitchison College before joining Punjab University (PU) to study law.
Emmanuel College Cambridge
In 1930, he moved to England to join Emmanuel College Cambridge (ECC). In 1933, he published a pamphlet titled ‘Now or Never; Are We to Live or Perish Forever?’, coining the word ‘PAKISTAN’ for the first time.
In 1933, he founded the Pakistan National Movement (PNM) in England. Subsequently, he obtained a BA and MA degree from the University of Cambridge.
In 1943, he was called to the Bar Middle Temple Inn London.
Until 1947, he continued publishing various booklets about his vision for South Asia.
Chaudhary Rehman Ali died at the age of 53 on February 3, 1951, in Cambridge, England, United Kingdom (UK).
Rehmat Ali is one of the earliest advocates of the creation of the state of Pakistan and is the one who proposed the name ‘Pakistan’ for newly created state of Muslims in Indian Subcontinent. Rehmat Ali, is a Pakistani Muslim nationalist, is remembered as the originator of the Pakistan National Movement.
Founded the Pakistan National Movement
He founded the Pakistan National Movement in the years 1930 to 1933, with its headquarters in Cambridge. He kept putting out publications detailing his plans for South Asia up until 1947.
His first famous pamphlet, “Now or Never; Are we to live or perish forever?” was published on January 28, 1933. The brochure, which introduced the word “Pakistan” for the first time, explained the justifications for the creation of Pakistan as a distinct country. -APP/AFP
