The subject of history is paramount to understanding the identity of a society and country. Post-modernists have a broad consensus that objectivity in history writing is a myth. Documents, archives and evidence support specific perspectives. The two significant perspectives in South Asian Hhstory are Muslim Nationalism and Indian Nationalism.
At the turn of the 20th century, India witnessed the emergence of remarkable figures who not only held immense sway over the hearts and minds of the people but also exerted a decisive influence on the course and trajectory of history. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, Liaquat Ali Khan and Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar epitomized the resounding response of the Indian masses to the oppressive yoke of colonial rule. As leaders, freedom fighters, political strategists and statesmen, their roles were indispensable during that era. Their significance must be recognised, as they hold a special place in history, without which the narrative of the freedom movement would be incomplete. In Pakistan, the content of textbooks is inclined to the Muslim Nationalist perspective, but the real dilemma is that even this perspective is not being penned down appropriately.
Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar is one of the pertinent examples in this regard. Very little is mentioned about him in the textbooks. He was born in Peshawar on 13 June 1899. He belonged to the respected Kakar tribe of Pashtuns. After getting an early education, he went to Punjab University for a bachelor's and got a law degree from Aligarh University. His political journey kicked off during the days of the Khilafat Movement. Later, in 1929, he joined the Indian National Congress and became a pioneer member of the Provincial Congress Committee.
When he saw the biased policy of Congress towards Muslims, he decided to part ways. Sayed Wiqar Ali Shah, in his book Muslim League in NWFP, quoted his words, "Separation from the All India National Congress was because of the fact that I had known that Hindus were prejudiced against the Muslims and would never be sincere to them. The success of the Indian National Congress in the freedom movement would mean that the Muslims, getting them unchained from the British, should enslave themselves to the Hindus."
During his tenure, Nishtar tried to establish contact with the masses to create peace and harmony in the province
During that time, Nishtar started to participate actively in Peshawar's local politics. He contested and won the local body elections in 1929 and served as Municipal Commissioner till 1938. In 1936, the elections for the provincial legislature were held. Nishtar took part in the election as an independent candidate and won the seat. Later, the same year, after exchanging letters with Jinnah, he joined the All India Muslim League.
After the end of the Congress ministries in 1939, the governor invited Sardar Aurangzeb Khan Gandapur to make the government. He asked Nishtar to become part of the government. Initially, Nishtar was reluctant because he believed that it would be a de jure government; however, Gandapur convinced him. It ultimately led to creating a political presence of the League in NWFP (now KP). The next important task given to him was to be a member of the Working and Planning Committees in 1944. Furthermore, he represented AIML along with Jinnah in the Simla Conference in 1946 and the Leader's Conference with the Viceroy on June 3, 1947. When the interim government was announced, he was assigned the portfolios of Post and Air.
In the post-partition scenario, the newly emerged country was facing numerous challenges. In retrospect, the selection of a cabinet was very crucial. Liaquat Ali Khan became the first Prime Minister, and Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar became the Minister of Communications. Besides that, he was also heading the committee of the Constituent Assembly on Minority issues. On the forum of the Assembly, he was a strong supporter of the Objectives Resolution. Later on, the situation in Punjab became untenable under Sir Francis Mudie, so Nishtar became the first indigenous governor of Punjab on 2 August 1949.
During his tenure, Nishtar tried to establish contact with the masses to create peace and harmony in the province. One of the biggest challenges that he faced was the rehabilitation of refugees. His key initiative was establishing an anti-corruption department and making firm decisions to safeguard tenants' rights. In 1951, the first provincial elections were held in Punjab, and there was no accusation of the governor's involvement in malpractices. In 1951, Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan was assassinated, and Khawaja Nazimuddin became his successor. Now, in Nazimuddin's cabinet, Nishtar had the portfolio of Industry. During his tenure, he focused on coal mines, the utilisation of natural resources, and the rights of factory workers.
In 1953, Nazimuddin's government was dismissed by the over-ambitious Malik Ghulam Mohammad. On this undemocratic and unconstitutional act, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar took a firm stance and opposed this decision. Afterwards, in 1956, he became the president of the Muslim League against the will of the actual powerful lobby. On 14 February 1958, he passed away and was buried in the tomb of Quaid-e-Azam in Karachi.
Ideologically, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar was a right-winger and was vocal about it. He remained loyal to the Muslim League and with the cause of democracy. This led to internal party conflicts and he faced attempts to diminish and marginalise his political trajectory.