Recently a video message has been making rounds on social media, especially WhatsApp groups claiming that Pakistan has outlawed doctoral research on Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the nation’s founding father which has sparked controversy.
Muhammad Ali Jinnah, widely revered as the Quaid-e-Azam (Great Leader) in Pakistan, holds a central position in the country’s history. Doctoral research exploring various aspects of his life, political career, and ideology has long been a subject of academic interest for scholars within and outside Pakistan.
Numerous scholars, both domestically and internationally, have conducted extensive research on Jinnah, delving into his leadership style and contributions to the independence movement. These studies have been disseminated through academic journals, books, and dissertations, encountering no official ban or censorship.
However, the news of the ban seems to be false and misleading as HEC has not announced anything of such caliber. The notion of a ban on Ph.D. research concerning Jinnah seems to stem from misinformation or misinterpretation of isolated incidents or policies within specific academic institutions. There is no evidence of a widespread or systematic restriction on academic inquiry into Jinnah’s life and legacy.
In April 2023, similar misinformation circulated regarding the alleged ban on doctoral research concerning Jinnah. However, numerous scholars have extensively explored this subject. Notably, two faculty members at Quaid-i-Azam University conducted doctoral research on Jinnah and subsequently published their findings. One such publication is “The Charismatic Leader: Quaid-i-Azam M.A. Jinnah and the Creation of Pakistan” by Sikandar Hayat and Jinnah’s Pakistan: Formation and Challenges of a State by Farooq Dar. Moreover, Dr. Riaz Quaid Azam University, Dr. Sikandar Hayat Quaid Azam University, Dr. Shila Kazmi Karachi University, Aisha Jalal, Ark professor America Columbia, William Metz, professor of Pennsylvania University USA and Oxford Press have researched Jinnah.
Here are links to publications of Ph.D. on Jinnah
https://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/handle/123456789/6422
http://cppg.fccollege.edu.pk/publications/the-charismatic-leadership-of-quaid-i-azam-mohammad-ali-jinnah/
https://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/handle/123456789/18803
https://prr.hec.gov.pk/jspui/handle/123456789/17302
So, there is no substantiated evidence supporting the claim that Pakistan has prohibited doctoral research on Muhammad Ali Jinnah. The country’s academic institutions remain committed to fostering an environment conducive to scholarly inquiry and critical analysis, including studies related to Jinnah’s life, politics, and legacy.
