By Sami Malik
Some events in history are remarkable and long lasting. They leave deep marks
and their understanding is far and wide. They have great value and
understanding, if they are connected and understood. Pakistan and France have
good bilateral relations which remained affected due to political turmoil and
vested interest, however they have deep connections, long and cherished memories
to retain. The Cultural ties between people of France and Pakistan are stronger.
Recently, the Government of France has undertaken a great initiative by
contributing generously to restore historical and cultural sites of Lahore. In
this article an endeavor is made to explore such an event of history, which has
a deep Pakistani connection with France. The first historical event, which is
still remembered when we talk about Pakistan - France relations today. It was
the hoisting of the Pakistani flag in France. France was the first country where
the Pakistani flag was hoisted after its creation in 1947. Pakistani scouts who
were taking part in the 6th World Scouts Jamboree held in Miosson, France,
raised it on the very first day of independence of Pakistan and India i.e., 15
August 1947.
The legendary Sqn Ldr Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui | On 6th Septem… | Flickr
(Squadron Leader Sarfraz Ahmed Rqfiqui)
A contingent of 124 scouts and 11 scouts of Indian Union went to Miosson,
France, before the partition, to participate in the 6th World Scouts Jamboree,
which was being held from 9 to 17 August, 1947. The leader of this scouts’
contingent was G.T. J. Thedias. He was the Secretary General of All India Boy
Scout Association. The day of 15 August 1947 had drawn closer during this
Jamboree. It was the day, when the Indian Sub-continent had to be partitioned
into two new states, Pakistan and India. Therefore, taking into account the
importance of this day, all the Indian scouts who were participating in this
Jamboree decided to hoist their respective national flags on this occasion.
The scouts who belonged to Indian Territory had brought their flag with them but
the scouts who came from the Pakistani region did not know the design and
pattern of the Pakistan flag. The Constituent Assembly of Pakistan approved the
Pakistan flag on August 11, 1947. ‘Pakistani scouts’ came to know the news about
the design of their flag through newspapers. All the Pakistani scouts chose
Muhammad Iqbal Qureshi and Inayat Ali Gardezi as their leader and deputy leader
respectively. They were given the task that they must arrange a Pakistani flag
on the day of Independence i.e., 15 August 1947. For making a Pakistani flag,
the green cloth was provided by an ‘Indian’ scout Madan Mohan who was from
Simla, India and the white piece of fabric was given by Abbas Ali Gardezi who
belonged to Multan, Pakistan.
Madan Mohan cut his turban and Abbas Ali Gardezi tore his shirt for this
purpose. The two French girl guides took the responsibility to sew this
Pakistani flag. Thus, in this way the Pakistani flag was prepared within a
night. The Indian scouts’ contingent leader, Mr. G. T. J. Thedias decided that
on this occasion an Indian scout Dhan Mal Mather would hoist the Pakistani flag
and Muhammad Iqbal Qureshi would lift the Indian flag while Sarfaraz Ahmed
Rafiqui would raise the flag of scout organization. Thus, these three scouts
hoisted three flags on 15 August 1947 at 9.00 a.m. It was a historical event and
a great honour for them. This was the first event of hoisting the Pakistani flag
in any territory outside Pakistan. Madan Mohan, who sacrificed his turban for
adding green in the Pakistani flag became a renowned educator in Simla, India.
He became the founder of P.M.M college of Education in Simla. Dhan Mal Mather
went on to become a great scholar, writer and professor of Indian History. He
died in 1992, in his honor Calcutta University’s P.G Lady hall was named after
him. Muhammad Iqbal Qureshi settled in Lahore and later became a renowned
architect and entrepreneur. Two brothers Abbas Ali Gardezi and Inayat Ali
Gardezi became renowned physicians.
https://www.voiceofsindh.com.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pakistan-flag-1-731x1024.jpg
(Hosting of First Pakistani Flag ever in Moisson, France, 1947)
Sarfaraz Ahmed Rafiqui, who held the Indian Boy Scouts flag, later joined
Pakistan Air Force as fighter pilot. When the Indo-Pak war started in September
1965, he was a squadron leader in Pakistan Air Force (PAF). During an attack on
an Indian Air Base Halwara, his aircraft was hit by Indian fire and he embraced
martyrdom. He was awarded both Hilal-e-Jurrat and Sitara-e-Jurrat after his
death. The Pakistan Air Force's third largest air base, PAF Base Shorkot was
renamed as ‘PAF Base Rafiqui’ in honour. One of the largest roads of the Lahore
Cantonment is named Sarfaraz Rafiqui Road. Rafiqui Shaheed Road in Karachi is
also named after him. In PAF Base Peshawar, the road on which the Rear Air
Headquarters and Fazaia Degree School and College are located is named Rafiqui
Lane in honour of the war hero.
(The writer is PhD Scholar of Middle Eastern History at Islamic IIUI)