Muhammad Zafarullah Khan
Introduction
Chaudhry Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan (Urdu: محمد ظفر اللہ خان; 6 February 1893 – 1 September 1985) was a Pakistani jurist and diplomat who served as the first Foreign Minister of Pakistan. After serving as foreign minister he continued his international career and is the only Pakistani to preside over the International Court of Justice.[1] He also served as the President of the UN General Assembly. He is the only person to date to serve as the President of both UN General Assembly and the International Court of Justice.
Khan became one of the most vocal proponents of Pakistan and led the case for the separate nation in the Radcliffe Commission which drew the countries of modern-day South Asia. He moved to Karachi in August 1947 and became a member of Pakistan’s first cabinet serving as the country’s debut foreign minister under the Liaquat administration. He remained Pakistan’s top diplomat until 1954 when he left to serve on the International Court of Justice and remained on the court as a judge until 1958 when he became the court’s vice president. He left the Hague in 1961 to become the Permanent Representative of Pakistan to the United Nations, a position he served until 1964.
During his time at the UN, he also represented the State of Palestine in a de facto capacity. He left the UN in 1964 to return to the ICJ and, in 1970, he became the first and only Pakistani to serve as the President of the International Court of Justice, a position he maintained until 1973. He returned to Pakistan and retired in Lahore where he died in 1985 at the age of 92. Khan is considered one of the leading founding fathers of Pakistan and a prominent figure in Pakistan. He authored several books on Islam both in Urdu and English.
Ambassador Of Palestine
Sir Zafarullah Khan powerfully presented the case for the Palestinians to the UN. On 28 November 1947, he championed the cause of Palestinian autonomy and called out the injustices against them in the UN.
“Let us now consider the boundaries. Jews constitute 33% of the pop. and Arabs 67%, but 60% of the area of Palestine is to go to the Jewish State. Moreover, what is the character of the area, excluding for the moment the desert waste to which I shall refer later?”
Recognition from other Muslims
Hussein bin Talal, King of Jordan
The King of Jordan, King Hussein bin Talal, invited Mr. Khan to his palace in 1953 and awarded him the highest honor in his Kingdom for his heroic and courageous fight for the cause of Palestine.
“He was indeed a champion of the Arab cause and his ceaseless efforts whether among the Muslim and non-aligned countries or at the International Court of Justice will remain 4ever a shining example of a great man, truly dedicated to our faith and civilization.”
King Faisal of Saudia Arabia
“…for your close co-operation and the noble stand which your Excellency has taken, not only during the meeting but since the question of Palestine has been put before the United Nations…
…Allow me to state that your high principles have created a desire on the part of all righteous persons to identify themselves with the efforts of your Excellency, not only on behalf of the Arabs but Moslems all over the world as well”
Mr. Fadhil Jamali, a former Foreign Minister of Iraq
“In fact, it was not possible for any Arab, however capable and competent he may be, to serve the cause of Palestine in a manner in which this distinguished and great man dedicated himself…
..But, it must be acknowledged that Mohammad Zafrulla Khan occupies a pre-eminent position in defending the Palestinians in this dispute. We expect from all Arabs and followers of Islam that they will never forget this great Muslim fighter…
…After Palestine, the services of this man for the independence of Libya also deserve admiration. In the United Nations, his struggle for the rights of Arabs formed the basis of firm and lasting friendship between us.”