Islamabad: A special ceremony was organized by the Pakistan Federation of University Women to pay tribute to Allama Iqbal, in which the Nawab of Junagadh, Nawab Ali Murtaza Khanji, was the chief guest. On this occasion, he highlighted before the participants the historical and legal facts of Junagadh and clarified India’s illegal occupation of the region. The Nawab sent a message to India, stating that its occupation of Junagadh is unlawful and illegitimate. “Junagadh was Pakistan yesterday, Junagadh is Pakistan today, and it will always remain a part of Pakistan.”
At the beginning of the ceremony, the President of the Pakistan Federation of University Women, Professor Qaisra M. Alvi, delivered the opening remarks and emphasized that the progress of the nation depends on introducing the younger generation to the teachings of Iqbal.
During the ceremony, the chief guest, the Nawab of Junagadh, Nawab Ali Murtaza Khanji, paid tribute to Allama Iqbal and said that the secret to Pakistan’s progress lies in acting upon Iqbal’s philosophy. He paid tribute to Quaid-e-Azam’s efforts against India’s illegal occupation of Junagadh and stated that they would remain committed at all times to completing Quaid-e-Azam’s unfulfilled Dream. He expressed gratitude to the MUSLIM Institute, stating that under the leadership of the Dewan of Junagadh, His Excellency Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali, the Institute has, for the first time in Pakistan’s 78-year history, published a research-based book in English on Junagadh to promote the cause.
During the ceremony, the Nawab of Junagadh explained that the accession of the State of Junagadh to Pakistan is a historical fact which must be acknowledged under international law. He stressed that the Junagadh case is not merely about a region, but about the completion of Pakistan and the pursuit of historical justice—a matter that every Pakistani must understand and highlight with responsibility. The Nawab paid tribute to the late Nawab Jahangir Khanji and the Dewan of Junagadh, Sahibzada Sultan Ahmed Ali, for their efforts against India’s illegal occupation, stating that their struggle has ensured Junagadh’s continued representation on Pakistan’s map.
The Nawab said that universities and academic institutions must conduct research on the historical and legal aspects of Junagadh so that Indian propaganda can be effectively countered and public awareness can be raised. According to him, under international law, his status as the “Sovereign in Exile” remains valid to this day.
Nawab Ali Murtaza Khanji reminded the audience that after the partition of India, on 15 September 1947, the Nawab of Junagadh signed the Instrument of Accession with Pakistan’s first Governor-General, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Junagadh was the first princely state that formally acceded to Pakistan.
He further stated that in 1948, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister raised the Junagadh issue at the United Nations General Assembly, and on 29 May 1951, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that both Junagadh and Jammu & Kashmir remain pending disputes at the United Nations, and Pakistan does not recognize India’s illegal occupation.
The Nawab also praised the positive role of the Pakistan Army regarding Junagadh. In conclusion, Nawab Ali Murtaza Khanji appealed to the media, civil society, academic institutions, and other organizations to collectively highlight the historical and legal facts of Junagadh before the public and the international community.
At the ceremony, former Vice Chancellor of Rawalpindi Women University, Professor Dr. Alia Sohail, also addressed the gathering. She stated that, as always, India in 1947 used the pretext of an alleged external threat to deploy its forces into the State of Junagadh, and occupied the state at a time when the Nawab of Junagadh was present in Pakistan.
