Mausoleum Editorial Photo

Mausoleum of begum Rana Liaqat Ali Khan Karachi, Pakistan. Begum Rana Liaqat Ali Khan rose to prominence in 1942, when under the threat of immanent Japanese attack on Indian Sub-Continent, the Quaid-e-Azam instructed her to organise women for Civil Defence and she organised a small voluntary nursing corps. The Quaid advised her: Be prepared to train the women. Islam doesn't want women to be shut up and never see fresh air.” Her course for the rest of her life was thus set. In 1947, with independence came the pains and horrors of sectarian riots and mass migrations. In such challenging times, Begum Khan formed women’s voluntary groups to serve the humanity in distress, lurking in the refugee camps. In 1949, under her own initiative, she formed “Women National Guards” and “Pakistan Women Naval Reserve” and was appointed as the Chief Controller of both with the rank of a Brigadier.