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Qazi Muhammad Isa (Urdu: قاضی محمد عیسیٰ; 17 July 1914 19 June 1976) was a Pakistani politician and one of the leading founding fathers of Pakistan. He was an advocate of the Pakistan Movement and represented Balochistan in the Lahore Conference that led to the ratification of Lahore Resolution. He led the Muslim League's branches in Balochistan and NWFP.[2][3]

Quick Facts Born, Died ...
Qazi Muhammad Isa
قاضی محمد عیسیٰ
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Qazi Muhammad Isa in the 20th century
Born17 July 1914
Died19 June 1976(1976-06-19) (aged 61)
Known forBeing one of the Founding father of the Pakistan
Lifelong member of Muslim League
ChildrenQazi Faez Isa (son)
Qazi Azmat Isa (son)
Qazi Anwar Kamal Isa (son)[1]
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Early life and career

Qazi Muhammad Isa was born on 17 July 1914 in Pishin District, Balochistan. He received his basic education in Quetta. In 1933, he went to England for higher studies and received his law degree from Middle Temple, London. After returning to British India, he started practicing law in Bombay in 1938 where he first met Jinnah.[2]

He participated in the formation of the first Muslim political party in Pakistan, (Muslim league) Balochistan before 1947. He was from a Shia Hazara of Sheikh Ali tribe, which migrated from Kandahar, Afghanistan to Pishin in Balochistan, Pakistan.[4]

"After having been called to Bar in January 1939, he returned home and met Quaide-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Bombay. He was so impressed with his ideas and personality that on his return to Balochistan, he founded the All-India Muslim League in his province."[2] He played a key role in the Pakistan Movement and was one of the trusted lieutenants of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He was the youngest member of the Working Committee of the All-India Muslim League and as President of the Baluchistan Provincial Muslim League, he quickly organized the party throughout the province and played a key role in the 'Vote for Pakistan movement' and in the historical referendum of the then North-West Frontier Province. Qazi Essa travelled more than 300,000 miles to campaign for the Pakistan Movement between 1940 and 1947.[2][3]

He represented Balochistan in the 1940 Lahore Resolution (Qarardad-e-Lahore قرارداد لاھور), commonly known as the Pakistan Resolution (قرارداد پاکستان Qarardad-e-Pakistan).[2] His nephew, Ashraf Jehangir Qazi, has been a Pakistani High Commissioner in India, Pakistan's Permanent representative in UNO and UN Secretary General Special Representative in Iraq. Qazi Essa's son Qazi Faez Isa became Chief Justice of Balochistan High Court on 5 August 2009.[1] He later took oath as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan on 5 September 2014.[2][5]

Later, Qazi Muhammad Isa served as Ambassador of Pakistan to Brazil from 1951 to 1953. He also was a member of Pakistan delegations to the United Nations in 1950, 1954 and 1974. He was appointed member of the Committee on Minorities in the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.[2]

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Commemorative postage stamp issued in 1990

Death and legacy

Qazi Muhammad Isa died on 19 June 1976. Qazi Isa devotedly served the Muslim League for 37 years.[2] Among his survivors are some notable Pakistani personalities.

See also

References

Bibliography

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