Islamabad, President Arif Alvi has formally reached out to his Swiss counterpart with a request for archival documents related to Ahmad Ali Jinnah, the brother of Pakistan’s founding father, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. These documents, which are a treasure trove of photographs, historical records, and personal details, are currently housed in Zurich’s City Archives.
According to Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the President’s letter emphasized the profound national significance of these documents to the Pakistani people, given Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s pivotal role in the nation’s founding. The collection, which also includes materials related to Fatima Goepfert-Jinnah, the niece of the Quaid, is seen as a valuable addition to Pakistan’s national heritage.
Highlighting the personal involvement of the First Lady, Samina Alvi, who visited the Zurich Archives in January 2024 and expressed a deep interest in the documents, President Alvi has proposed that Switzerland consider gifting this collection to the National Archives of Pakistan. This gesture would not only enhance the archival materials available in Pakistan but also serve as a symbol of goodwill and cooperation between Switzerland and Pakistan.
The request underscores the importance of international collaboration in preserving and sharing historical documents that are of great value to understanding global history and the interconnectedness of nations.