The
Quaid-i-Azam's Bust reached its final destination, the Lincoln's Inn, on 29
November 2017. H.E. Syed Ibne Abbas, Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK
installed the Bust at the Lincoln’s Inn Library in the presence of a select
group of people associated with the Inn and belonging to the legal fraternity,
says a press release received from London here today.
Those who
attended the installation ceremony included: The Rt Hon Lord Neuberger of
Abbotsbury, Treasurer of Lincoln's Inn; Sir Anwar Pervez of Bestway Group; Sir
William Blackburne, former Treasurer of the Lincoln’s Inn; Baroness Sayeeda
Warsi; Rehman Chishti MP; Barrister Yasmin Qureshi MP; Barrister Sibghatullah
Qadri QC; Asif Rangoonwala and the sculptor of the Bust, Philip Jackson.
In his welcome address on the occasion, The Rt
Hon Lord Neuberger of Abbotsbury, Treasurer of the Lincoln's Inn, shed light on
the personality of the Quaid and his student days at the Inn. He said the
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was impressed by the large number of books in the Inn’s
Library and that was one of the reasons he chose to study at the Lincoln’s Inn.
He also quoted some lively examples from the life of the Quaid reflecting his
strength of character. Lord Neuberger termed the Quaid a great leader and great
statesman who made a lasting impact on the history of the 20th century. In
his remarks at the ceremony, the High Commissioner termed the installation of
the Bust “a dream come true”.
He said he had been working on the project for
the last two years and eventually the task has accomplished. “This is a
befitting tribute to the Father of the Nation, which the whole of Pakistan is
rejoicing in”, added the High Commissioner. He paid rich tributes to the Quaid
and termed him world’s one of the leading statesmen who gave a separate
homeland to a nation now as large as 207 million.
He said that with the installation of the
Bust, our year-long ceremonies to celebrate the 70th Independence Anniversary
of Pakistan have concluded. The High Commissioner thanked the Lincoln’s Inn,
the Treasurer and his team, and Sir William Blackburne for their valuable
support for having the project accomplished, and of course, the sculptor,
Philip Jackson for his hard work and dedication.
On this
occasion, the High Commissioner announced the offer of one scholarship each
from Sir Anwar Pervez’s Bestway Group and Asif Rangoonwala Foundation annually
for Pakistani students. The selection of the students will be done by the
Lincoln’s Inn.
This was another highlight of the ceremony and
the initiative was hugely appreciated by the Treasurer and other guests at the
ceremony.
Fixed at a
beautiful pedestal at the height of 6 feet, against the background of a
brightly coloured huge window at the far end, with the vast Library at its
front, the light bronze Bust stands out spectacularly.
Installed at
the most visible place, a masterpiece of the internationally renowned sculptor
Philip Jackson, the Bust is going to be quite a treat for the eyes of the
students and the visitors alike. A befitting place for the Bust of world’s
leading statesman who will keep inspiring the future generations of lawyers and
leaders alike by sheer force of his invincible will, strong character,
integrity, wisdom and unparalleled political acumen.
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