Dow Medical College in National Politics 1967: Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto at Dow Medical College, 1967.
From Left to right: Mairaj Mohammed Khan, ZAB,
Rashid Hasan Khan, Dost Mohammed (President, Dow
Medical College Students’ Union 1967-68) and standing is
Dr. Taqi who now lives in Maryland.
There were more than 7000 attendees. The meeting went on through the night. Perhaps others who were at the meeting would comment. This all happened well before our time at Dow. Shortly thereafter Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was established. History of Karachi and Pakistan in the making at Dow.
Salim Chowdhrey wrote on April 5 2018: Yours truly was standing opposite the dais next to the Press photographer. This group along with Nisar , Shahid Ali, (Late)Qamar Abbas, (Late) Suroor Alam, all of DOW 68 and several others met with ZAB at 70 Clifton several times to discuss about the administrations opposition and pressure on the students. Mairaj Mohammed Khan then President of NSF Karachi was a true Leader for the cause of the poor and deprived. Besides being a great orator he was also a thinker. Rashid Hasan Khan was COURAGE PERSONIFIED. Once when the DOW group was summoned to the Principals office, (It was one of many times with offers of alternate guests to substitute ZAB) Professor Shah (YES HE WAS MY IDOL AND AT MY AGE NOW HE STILL IS) after much discussion in his fatherly and gentlemanly manner stated ” He will come to Dow over my dead body” Rashid Hasan Khan’s repartee was “Then it will be over your dead body Sir” Mrs Bhutto was a gracious host. Always served tea in fine China and Hot Samosas and Piping hot Jalebi. Met her years later here in Short Hills at a friends home.She was in self exile during Zia’s rule. I thanked her for the treats, but a tear flowed in her eyes.
Runal Lailaz Wrote on April 4 2018: PPP was Founded by ZAB on Nov 30 1967. Bhutto spoke at Dow before that. There was no band, no singing. There was a great tension because President AYUB was being defied. All the gates were locked. ZAB was hauled over the front wall sitting on a chair. The wall collapsed. BUNDER ROAD WALL ALSO COLLAPSED because the attendees spilled on Bunder Road. Expected numbers were 500 NSF members. There were about 7000 people that night.Besides the welcome two speakers spoke mainly. Bhutto came about 3 hours late. Mairaj Mohammed Khan spoke for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Bhutto spoke till almost Dawn.
