First visit to Islamabad, maiden air travel: Warm welcome for Quaid’s family in city

[LahoreEstate]

* Jinnah’s great grandson Aslam says he, family travel by plane for the first time
* Says lives in a Karachi slum, makes plastic bags to earn a living

By Imran Asghar

RAWALPINDI: Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s great grandson and family got warm welcome on arrival at Benazir Bhutto International Airport after their first-ever air travel.

People, especially political workers and civil society representatives, turned up in large numbers.

Bait-ul-Maal Managing Director (MD) Zumurrad Khan had invited Aslam Jinnah, who is the son of Jinnah’s niece, for the maiden visit to the federal capital along with the family.

Aslam, wife Suraya Jinnah and 20-year-old handicapped daughter Zanib Jinnah were garlanded, and showered with rose petals as they came out of the VVIP lounge. People present there shouted slogans like Pakistan Zindabad and Quaid-e-Azam Zindabad.

Local and foreign media organisations had detailed reporters for the event coverage.

Aslam told them that he was thankful to Almighty Allah for giving him a chance to see the capital of the country his great grandfather had created in 1947.

With tearful eyes, he said it’s his and family’s first-ever travel by an airplane and they had never thought of getting such a tremendous welcome at Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Airport.

He said he didn’t own a house and was leading a miserable life in a Karachi slum before the Bait-ul-Maal recently provided him and the family with basic facilities of life.

According to Aslam, his family makes plastic bags to earn a living.

He said President Asif Zardari had promised to ensure free treatment of his disabled daughter Zainab, 20, in the US.

Bait-ul-Maal Zumurrad Khan said Jinnah’s family was the state’s guest and would stay in Islamabad for a week.

According to him, Aslam Jinnah and family are scheduled to meet President Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and other dignitaries during the stay.

He said Jinnah’s family would visit parliament today (Monday) to meet National Assembly Speaker Fehmida Mirza and other dignitaries.

He said Reality Welfare Organisation (RWO), a Rawalpindi-based NGO, had organised a reception at Rawalpindi Press Club for the Jinnah’s family on Tuesday.

Later, Aslam Jinnah and family were shifted to the Bait-ul-Maal’s main office amid tight security.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg11_1