- Advertisement -
ISLAMABAD, Nov 16 (APP): The 129th birth anniversary of Chaudhry Rahmat Ali, the political thinker credited with coining the name “Pakistan” was observed on Sunday.
Commemorative events were held across the country, honouring his intellectual legacy and contributions to the subcontinent’s Muslim identity.
Talking to APP, Pakistan National Movement President Yousaf Aziz said Rahmat Ali had introduced the name “Pakistan” on 28 January 1933 in his pamphlet Now or Never, nearly fourteen years before the country’s creation.
He described the name as inspired by the Quranic verse 15 “baldatun tayyibatun” from Surah Saba, symbolising a pure and ideal homeland.
Aziz added that the concept carried religious, historical, political and cultural resonance that later found formal expression in the Lahore Resolution seven years after the pamphlet’s publication.
He said Rahmat Ali’s vision represents “a national rediscovery” that will continue to guide future generations in understanding Pakistan’s historical roots and evolving identity.
State broadcaster PTV aired a documentary highlighting his life and national services, while scholar Prof. Zaid bin Umar released his new book Chaudhry Rahmat Ali: A Critical Review of Objections.
Contemporary news platforms also carried features reflecting on his role in shaping the country’s ideological foundations.