Fatima Jinnah

Fatima Jinnah (31 July 1893 - 9 July 1967), also known as Mder-e Millat ("Mother of the Nation"), was a Pakistani politician, dentist, and one of Pakistan's founding fathers. She was the younger sister of Pakistan's founder and first Governor General, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

After earning a dental degree from the University of Calcutta in 1923 and becoming the first female dentist in undivided India, Fatima Jinnah became a close associate and adviser to her older brother, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who later became Pakistan's first Governor General. She emerged as a strong advocate of the two-nation theory and a leading member of the All-India Muslim League, despite her strong criticism of the British Raj.

Following Pakistan's independence, Jinnah co-founded the Pakistan Women's Association, which was instrumental in settling women migrants in the newly formed country. She remained her brother's closest confidante until his death. Fatima was barred from addressing the nation after his death until 1951; her 1951 radio address to the nation was heavily censored by the Liaquat administration. She wrote My Brother in 1955, but it was not published until 1987, 32 years later, due to censorship by the establishment, which accused Fatima of "anti-nationalist material." Several pages from the manuscript were left out when the book was published.

In 1965, Jinnah emerged from her self-imposed political retirement to run in the presidential election against military dictator Ayub Khan. She was backed by a coalition of political parties and won two of Pakistan's largest cities, Karachi and Dhaka, despite political rigging by the military. While reporting on the 1965 election campaign, the American magazine Time stated that Ayub Khan and his allies attacked Jinnah's modesty and patriotism.

Jinnah died on July 9, 1967, in Karachi. Her death has sparked debate, with some reports claiming that she died of unnatural causes. Her family members had requested an investigation, but the government denied their request. She is still regarded as one of Pakistan's most revered leaders, with nearly 500,000 people attending her funeral in Karachi.

Her legacy is linked to her support for civil rights, her involvement in the Pakistan Movement, and her love for her brother. Many institutions and public spaces in Pakistan have been named in her honor, including Mder-e Millat ("Mother of the Nation") and Khtn-e Pkistn ("Lady of Pakistan").