Fatima Jinnah was born on 31st July 1893 in Karachi. Being the youngest child of her family, Fatima Jinnah was close to her elder brother Muhammad Ali Jinnah, right from the very start. Years later when the brother-sister duo fought for Pakistan’s independence, Fatima Jinnah campaigned alongside her brother and was instrumental in rallying female support behind Quaid-e-Azam.
Fatima Jinnah proved to be a source of great strength and support for her brother Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Even after the great leader had passed away just a year after Pakistan became an independent nation, Fatima Jinnah continued to strive for Pakistan’s well-being and integrity till her death.
Fatima Jinnah will be known and remembered for her heroic struggle against Ayub Khan’s dictatorial regime. Fatima had campaigned for democracy during his reign and it is due to her commitment and resolve, that democracy exists in Pakistan today.
By profession, Miss Jinnah was a dentist and her clinic in Mumbai was one of the most renowned clinics. In order to participate wholly in the struggle for Pakistan, Fatima Jinnah aborted her clinic in Mumbai and resolved to provide her brother with full support and encouragement. Ultimately, this led to the creation of Pakistan. She was Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s most trusted adviser and it is also known that Quaid-e-Azam used to value her insight and opinion among everyone else’s.
After Quaid-e-Azam’s death, Fatima Jinnah stayed aloof from politics till Ayub Khan’s military regime. Fatima campaigned for democracy and defied Ayub Khan. She documented the struggle for Pakistan with her brother Muhammad Ali Jinnah in her book, titled My Brother.
Due to her services for the nation, Fatima Jinnah was bestowed with the title of Madar-e-Millat (Mother of the Nation). On her birthday, events are organized nationally throughout Pakistan to honour her sacrifices.
Fatima Jinnah breathed her last on 9 July 1967. It was maintained by official sources that Fatima Jinnah had passed away due to cardiac arrest. She was laid to rest in the surrounding area of Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum.
