Pakistani ladies in Washington DC (1950)

This photo from 1950 shows a Pakistani ladies' group under Mr Jinnah's portrait in the elegant drawing room of our Ambassador's Residence in Washington DC - mercifully still in our possession, like several priceless properties abroad.

The house was given to the Government of Pakistan at a nominal cost by Ambassador Ispahani, who was specially selected by the Quaid to pioneer Pakistan's representation in America.

Seated extreme left is Ruhafza Sajjad Hyder; extreme right Akhtar Usman Ansari, whose husband headed the Embassy's Information Wing in DC and later in London. Third from right (seated) is Begum Iqbal, wife of another senior officer in the Mission. The families became lasting friends.

– Rehana Hyder