MY grandfather Malik Barkat Ali was one of the earliest people from Punjab who joined the political struggle that was waged from the platform of the All-India Muslim League (AIML).
He died on April 5, 1946, and at a special session of the League, held in 1946 and attended by 470 elected Muslim members of provincial assemblies, the Quaid-i-Azam paid glowing tribute to him thus: “I am deeply grieved to hear the very depressing and sad news of the sudden death of Malik Barkat Ali. He was from the very beginning a true and loyal member of the Muslim League, and on all occasions, he rendered the greatest service to Muslim India. His advice and staunch support on all occasions was of greatest value to the League and myself. Muslim India has lost in him a great man, and I have lost in him not only a colleague, a collaborator, but also a great friend. My deepest sympathies go out to his family in their bereavement for their irreparable loss.”