Daily Times

Sir Malik Firoz Khan Noon was born on May 7, 1893, in the grand home of Hamoka village, then part of Sargodha District (now Khushab District) in West Punjab. His father, Nawab Malik Sir Muhammad Hayat Khan Noon, was a prominent political figure who served on the Indian Council of State during the 1930s, significantly influencing the political landscape of British India.

Firoz Khan’s early education began at Aitchison College in Lahore, followed by further studies in England. He graduated with a degree in History from Oxford University, was called to the Bar at the Inner Temple, and returned to India in 1917 to begin his legal career. His impressionable years in England exposed him to English customs and shaped his worldview. While initially drawn to civil or military service, he soon realized that politics was his true calling, following in his father’s footsteps.

Firoz Khan’s legal career began in Sargodha, before moving to Lahore, where his legal expertise and integrity earned him a solid reputation. In 1920, he entered politics, securing a seat in the Punjab Legislative Council. He served in the Punjab Cabinet from 1927 to 1936, primarily under British Governors. In 1933, he was first knighted for his service as Punjab’s Minister for Education. In 1936, he was appointed High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom, where he represented Indian interests with distinction and maintained strong ties to his homeland.

Though Firoz Khan worked tirelessly to resolve the Kashmir issue with Jawaharlal Nehru, tensions between Mirza and Suhrawardy stymied any significant progress.

Firoz Khan Noon’s political career was meteoric. Despite his achievements, he remained modest and focused on his work, avoiding personal publicity. During World War II, in 1939, he played a key role in assuring Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Indian Muslims’ support for Britain’s war effort, which helped secure crucial concessions for Muslim India. In 1944, he joined the Viceroy’s Executive Council and later became a member of Churchill’s War Cabinet. In 1945, he was appointed India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

As Indian independence loomed, Firoz Khan switched his allegiance from the Unionist Party to the Muslim League, helping it win a resounding victory in the 1946 elections in Punjab. After the creation of Pakistan in 1947, he was elected to the Constituent Assembly and appointed a special envoy to introduce the newly formed state to the Islamic world, seeking diplomatic support for Pakistan.

In 1950, he was appointed Governor of East Bengal, a decision with long-term political implications. Orchestrated by Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan, this move set a damaging precedent signalling the control of East Bengal by Pakistan’s western wing, leading to severe political tensions. Furthermore, Firoz Khan’s heart was never fully in the role, while the political scene in Punjab was increasingly dominated by figures like Iftikhar Mamdot and Mian Mumtaz Daultana. In 1953, Daultana was ousted after sectarian riots led to martial law in Lahore, clearing the way for Firoz Khan’s appointment as Chief Minister of West Punjab. He held the position until the One Unit scheme consolidated the provinces into two larger entities-East and West Pakistan in 1955. Following this, Dr. Khan Sahib became Chief Minister of West Pakistan.

In 1945, Firoz Khan married Victoria Rekha, an Austrian-born woman raised and educated in England. She converted to Islam and became Lady Viqarunnisa (Vickie) Noon. Despite their 27-year age difference, the couple shared a strong bond. Lady Noon played an influential role in Pakistan’s political and social spheres, organizing protests against Malik Khizar Hayat Tiwana during the independence movement, strengthening the Red Cross Society in both East and West Pakistan, and establishing the Viqarunnisa Noon College for Women in Rawalpindi and the Viqarunnisa Noon School and College for Girls in Dacca. She often humorously remarked that she knew more about Pakistan from her charitable work than her husband did from his official duties as she learnt more from her child centers than he did from his Commissioners. In 1959, she was awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz for her public service to the country.

In 1956, when Pakistan adopted its first constitution, Iskander Mirza became the country’s first president. That same year, Firoz Khan was appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs and Commonwealth Relations in the cabinet of Prime Minister Huseyn Shaheed Suhrawardy. Though Firoz Khan worked tirelessly to resolve the Kashmir issue with India’s Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, tensions between Mirza and Suhrawardy stymied any significant progress. Two months after Suhrawardy’s dismissal, Sir Firoz Khan assumed office as Prime Minister in December 1957.

One of his most notable achievements as Prime Minister was the acquisition of Gwadar from the Sultanate of Muscat. Lady Noon played a pivotal role in lobbying British officials, including Prime Minister Winston Churchill, to facilitate the $3 million purchase, which was finalized on September 8, 1958. The amount was reportedly paid by Prince Karim, the Aga Khan IV. This acquisition would prove vital to Pakistan’s strategic and economic development.

However, Firoz Khan’s tenure as Prime Minister was abruptly cut short when President Mirza imposed martial law on October 7, 1958, abrogating the constitution and appointing General Ayub Khan as Chief Martial Law Administrator. Mirza sent a courteous letter to Firoz Khan, assuring him of his respect, but within weeks, Mirza was exiled, and the thrice knighted Sir Firoz Khan finally retired from active politics. He spent his later years writing, including his memoir, From Memory, which offers insightful reflections on his political journey.

On December 7, 1970 – the same day Pakistan held its first national elections based on universal suffrage with divisive implications – Sir Firoz Khan passed away. After his death, Lady Noon who had been a constant companion to him for 25 years, continued to live in Pakistan and engaging in social work, briefly serving as Minister of State for Tourism under General Ziaul Haq and later heading the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation for several years. Lady Viqarunnisa Noon passed away on January 16, 2000, leaving behind an enduring legacy of public service to her adopted country.

The writer is a global health and public policy specialist of Pakistan