Daily Times

When Pakistan obtained its independence, the nation was in need of a national anthem. After a herculean competition of 723 lyrical writings, finally the composition of Hafeez Jalandhari was selected in 1952. The musical composition was formulated earlier in 1949, by Ahmed Ghulam Ali Chagla. To my knowledge, The Pakistan National Anthem was officially finally adopted in 1954, after a lapse of 7 years.

For his rendering, Hafeez Jalandhari was awarded the “Pride of Performance” in 1958. Mr Chagla’s contribution was not acknowledged, for reasons unknown.

In 1996, I happened to meet Abdul Khaliq Chagla, the only son of late Ahmed Ghulam Ali Chagla, who was married from the noble Gokal family and was visiting Pakistan. Our family friendship went back decades. I enquired, if his father’s musical rendering had been officially acknowledged, I was stunned to know, that his efforts had not been rewarded, even after 40 years. I asked for Ahmed Chagla’s resume, and subsequently wrote a long official letter in March 1996, to my Prime Minister, Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, highlighting the injustice (I was then the Defence Minister of Pakistan). The letter sent is verbatim reproduced here.

Respected Prime Minister,

I would like to place the following facts for your kind information. Mr. Ahmad Ghulam Ali Chagla, as you are aware had composed the National Anthem for Pakistan, but till this day his services to this effect, have never been recognised in the form of granting him an award.

I place before you a brief history of how this composition became the National Anthem of Pakistan. This information was provided to me recently, by his only son Mr. Abdul Khaliq Chagla.

Pakistan did not have any National Anthem during the first couple of years of its existence. The Shah of Iran was to visit Pakistan, in early 1950 and Mr Chagla was approached by one of the members of the “National Anthem Committee” of the Central Cabinet to help out. He composed a tune which was released to the Pakistan Navy Band and was played during the state visit of the Shah. This composition was also played during the late Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan’s visit to USA. Mr Chagla suddenly passed away in February, 1953 and after his death his tune continued to be played as a National Anthem on ceremonial occasions, for which the Government of Pakistan, sort the permission of his heirs (wife and son). Finally, in 1954, Mr Chagla’s tune was officially designated as the National Anthem of Pakistan; and copy right was assigned by his heirs to the Government of Pakistan.

Every time I hear the national anthem, I can’t help but appreciate the efforts of these two legends, whose names will live on forever

I deem it pertinent to point out, that Mr Chagla was not a professional musician. He did not accept any honorarium for composing the tune, but it was his gift to the Nation. Unfortunately, to date, there has been no recognition from the Government of Pakistan for this achievement.

I take the liberty of requesting you, to give him recognition for the composition of a tune, which till eternity, will be played and sung in Pakistan. I would venture to suggest that he be given the highest civil award; it can be received by his son.

I would sincerely urge upon you to consider given the award and include the same in the ensuing list to be announced on the 23rd March 1996.

Photo copies of the correspondence with Government, of Mr. Ahmad Ghulam Ali Chagla and his family are attached.

With warmest regard,

Yours Sincerely,

Aftab Shahban Mirani

My efforts bore fruits, and it was announced on 14th August 1996, that Mr Chagla rendering was belated but finally acknowledged, and he was posthumously awarded the ‘Pride of Performance’.

Thus, it will be seen that Chagla’s musical composition was utilised Nationally, much before approved lyrical writing of the National Anthem.

On the subsequent Pakistan Day, Mr Abdul Khaliq Chagla who then resided in Houston, Texas, was invited to visit Washington DC by our Ambassador to the US. He flew in on that day and received the award at a formal ceremony. As he told me subsequently “It was a memorable day in my life, alas my father were alive to receive this Award personally”.

Every time one hears the National Anthem, which is the symbol of our Nation’s pride, one is appreciative of the efforts of these two legends, whose names will live on forever.

It goes entirely to the credit of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, for giving swiftly this well-deserved and overdue recognition, in months and not years.

The writer is the former Chief Minister of Sindh and Defence Minister of Pakistan and is presently an MNA

Published in Daily Times, May 10^th 2018.