Sir Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah was born in Karachi. His date of birth is considered as 1879 but some books has given as 1878. He got his education from Sind College Karachi. He got his degree in law from Law college Bombay. Since his student years, he took interest in educational, literary and political activities. In December 1904, Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah was elected as member Municipal Committee of Hyderabad. Soon due to his diligence, he became its vice president and then non-official president. His hardworking and commitment to his job earned him wide popularity.
In 1912, he was elected as member of the Bombay Legislative Council. Later, he was selected as minister in the cabinet of Bombay Government and retained this portfolio till 1928. He played vital role as a member of Muslim League during Simon Commission. In 1928, he was elected member of Bombay Executive Council and remained on this post till 1935. Consequent upon the unanimous opinion in favor of separation, the demand for separation was accepted. In 1936, according to an ‘order-in-council’, Sind was separated from Bombay and Governor rule was implemented in the newly formed province of Sind. Two advisors were appointed to assist the Governor General in his state affairs, Sir Ghulam Hussain and Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto. After the 1937 elections, he was elected the first premier of Sind. He was representative of the Muslim League but whatever happened in Sind politics during 1937 to 1946 shows a dismal state of affairs. The main cause was his differences with G. M. Syed. In February 1946 a coalition was formed between the Congress representatives and the Muslim dissident groups including G. M. Syed and his supporters, Hidayatullah had to resign from his premiership. The position was so unsettled that re-elections were held in December 1946. The Muslim League gained a convincing majority with the result that the Muslim League Ministry was re-formed on 3 January 1947 with Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah as Premier.
On 26th June 1947, Sind Assembly was outstandingly the first province in passing a resolution to formally join Pakistan on 14th August, 1947 under the premiership of Sir Ghulam Hussain Hidayatullah. When Pakistan came into being, he was made Governor.
He remained Governor of the Sind province till his death on 4th October 1948 in Karachi.
This article was last updated on Friday, Jan 04, 2008
