In this article, we will explore the story of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s salary when he took office as the Governor General of Pakistan. There has been much speculation and debate over the years about how much Jinnah actually earned. Historians have told different versions of this story, and in recent years, the question has made its rounds on social media.
One of the most popular claims is that Jinnah accepted a symbolic salary of just one rupee. This idea has been repeated many times, especially on social platforms. But where did this story come from? Interestingly, it first surfaced in 1976, when Pakistan celebrated the birth centenary of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. That year, as people reflected on Jinnah’s life and leadership, the narrative of him choosing to take only one rupee as his salary gained attention.
However, before this centenary celebration, there was little mention of this specific detail about Jinnah’s salary. Some historians argue that it may have been exaggerated or romanticized over time. They believe that while Jinnah was indeed a man of principle and integrity, the idea of him taking such a symbolic salary was likely part of a broader attempt to further highlight his selflessness and dedication to Pakistan.
Despite the widespread claim that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah took a symbolic salary of one rupee, very few have taken the time to investigate what the actual records of the government of Pakistan say about this. While the story continues to circulate, the reality may be quite different according to official documents.
The official salary records of Jinnah as Governor General are preserved in the National Archives of Pakistan, as well as in the Quaid-e-Azam Paper Cell in Islamabad. These records provide a clear picture of the truth. A quick look at the files reveals that Jinnah did not receive a purely symbolic salary of one rupee. Instead, he had a regular monthly allowance, and his salary was processed through the proper government channels.
His pay bill was presented in an official manner, following the formalities that were required at the time. This means that, like any other government official, his salary went through the necessary approval processes regularly. These details, preserved in the archives, paint a more realistic picture of Jinnah’s salary, showing that he received a proper monthly payment as the head of state.
Historians and researchers now have access to the real salary records, making it clear that while Jinnah’s leadership and dedication to Pakistan were unmatched, his pay was handled in a traditional and formal manner, just like any other high-ranking official. Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s salary as Governor General of Pakistan was officially recorded as Rs 10,416, 10 annas, and 8 pies. However, the actual amount he took home was much less. Out of this gross salary, Rs 6,112 went to the government treasury as super income tax, leaving Rs 4,304, 10 annas for Jinnah himself.
These detailed records challenge the widely believed myth that Jinnah took a symbolic salary of just one rupee. In fact, the pay was processed in a proper, formal manner, like that of any other government official. The records reveal the thoroughness of the process, as even Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s specimen signature was required and documented in his pay file—something that’s customary for all government employees.
This clarity from official government records, preserved in the National Archives of Pakistan and the Quaid-e-Azam Paper Cell in Islamabad, provides a glimpse into the administrative details surrounding Jinnah’s time in office. While his net salary was significantly reduced by taxes, the pay file shows that he did not serve for free or for just a token amount, as the popular story goes.
When Muhammad Ali Jinnah passed away on September 11, 1948, his salary bill was still in the process of approval at the office of the Accountant General Pakistan Revenues (AGPR). The last salary bill signed by Jinnah himself was dated August 24, 1948. Interestingly, this final bill did not account for the last 11 days of September, the days leading up to his death.
After Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s death, the AGPR calculated his combined salary for August and the 11 days of September 1948, which totaled Rs 15,036 per anna. During this process, it was discovered that deductions for income tax and super tax, amounting to Rs 14,236 and five annas, had to be made from his salary for the period of March 1, 1948, to July 31, 1948.
As per Quaid-e-Azam’s will, this remaining amount was entrusted to his two designated guardians: his sister, Miss Fatima Jinnah, and Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, the first Prime Minister of Pakistan. The total amount of these two bills, Rs 14,236 and five annas, was sent directly to Fatima Jinnah. This included Rs 10,416 for August 1948 and Rs 3,829 for the first 11 days of September 1948. Additionally, the arrears from his Sumchuri Allowance, totaling Rs 12,129, one anna, and 11 pies, were also forwarded to Fatima Jinnah through a separate letter.
These calculations reflect how even after Jinnah’s passing, the financial and administrative processes related to his salary were carried out in an orderly manner. The payment of these amounts to his sister and trusted friend ensured that Jinnah’s final dues were handled according to his wishes. This episode highlights not only the formalities surrounding his salary but also the fulfillment of his final financial commitments, further cementing his legacy as a leader who lived and died with integrity and precision in both his personal and professional life.
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