Quaid-e-Azam bust installed at Lincoln's Inn Library

LONDON/ ISLAMABAD: A bronze bust honoring Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah has been installed at the Pakistan founder’s alma mater Lincoln’s Inn in London.

Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK Syed Ibne Abbas installed the bust at the Lincoln’s Inn Library in the presence of a select group of people associated with the Inn and belonging to the legal fraternity.

Those who attended the installation ceremony included Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Treasurer of Lincoln’s Inn; Sir Anwar Pervez of Bestway Group; Sir William Blackburne, former Treasurer of the Lincoln’s Inn; Baroness Sayeeda Warsi; Rehman Chishti MP; Barrister Yasmin Qureshi MP; Barrister Sibghatullah Qadri QC; Asif Rangoonwala and the sculptor of the bust, Philip Jackson.

In his welcome address on the occasion, the Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Treasurer of the Lincoln’s Inn, shed light on the personality of the Quaid and his student days at the Inn. He said the Muhammad Ali Jinnah was impressed by the large number of books in the Inn’s Library and that was one of the reasons he chose to study at the Lincoln’s Inn.

He also quoted some lively examples from the life of the Quaid reflecting his strength of character. Lord Neuberger termed the Quaid a great leader and great statesman who made a lasting impact on the history of the 20th century. In his remarks at the ceremony, the high commissioner termed the installation of the bust “a dream come true”.

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He said he had been working on the project for the last two years and eventually the task has accomplished. “This is a befitting tribute to the Father of the Nation, which the whole of Pakistan is rejoicing in”, added the high commissioner.

The treasurer of the Lincoln’s Inn paid rich tributes to Jinnah and termed him world’s one of the leading statesmen who gave a separate homeland to a nation now as large as 207 million.

He said that with the installation of the bust, our year-long ceremonies to celebrate the 70th Independence Anniversary of Pakistan have concluded. The high commissioner thanked the Lincoln’s Inn, the treasurer and his team, and Sir William Blackburne for their valuable support for having the project accomplished, and of course, the sculptor, Philip Jackson for his hard work and dedication.

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On this occasion, the High Commissioner announced the offer of one scholarship each from Sir Anwar Pervez’s Bestway Group and Asif Rangoonwala Foundation annually for Pakistani students. The selection of the students will be done by the Lincoln’s Inn. This was another highlight of the ceremony and the initiative was hugely appreciated by the treasurer and other guests at the ceremony.

Fixed at a beautiful pedestal at the height of 6 feet, against the background of a brightly coloured huge window at the far end, with the vast Library at its front, the light bronze bust stands out spectacularly.

Installed at the most visible place, a masterpiece of the internationally renowned sculptor Philip Jackson, the bust is going to be quite a treat for the eyes of the students and the visitors alike.

A befitting place for the bust of world’s leading statesman who will keep inspiring the future generations of lawyers and leaders alike by sheer force of his invincible will, strong character, integrity, wisdom and unparalleled political acumen!