These revelations are made in a recently published book “The Story of Partition” written by two eminent French authors who traveled some 2.5 lakh meters to collect the material for the book. The research took them four years during which period they interviewed as many as 2,500 persons belonging to the pre-partition era.
The Quaid’s physician in Paris is reported to have told the authors that he had to keep a round the clock vigil to ensure that the x-ray films did not fall into the hands of the Britishers, who might use the Quaid’s disease to change the whole complexion of the political situation in the sub-continent.
The year 1946, it may be recalled, was the most eventful year engagement with the fast changing course of events, together with the brightening of the prospects of victory, exerted enormous physical and mental strains on the Quaid. It was he alone to whom the people looked for guidance and inspiration.
Now that one looks back over those turbulent days it becomes clear that the knowledge of his impending death filled him victory in his life-time. Yet he never seemed sure of such a possibility. For, it would be recalled that on his arrival in Karachi to take over as the country’s first Governor-General he did drop the hint that he had never thought that he would live to see the day.
Through his strong will and determination he lived to see the Pakistan ideal transform into a reality. It was again his iron will power that helped him to pull through another year to consolidate the newly won freedom.
During his life-time Quaid-e-Azam’s word was taken as law by people drawn from all walks of life. This was not so out of reverence alone. The driving force behind his speeches and writings emanated from his clear understanding of the objective conditions. His firm conviction of the righteousness of the cause and his unshakable faith in the triumph of a united and disciplined effort.
Source: Pakistan Digest (Karachi), March-April (1976), PP: 67-68
