This was stated by Liaquat Merchant, grand nephew of Quaid-e-Azam and grand son of Jinnah's sister Mariambai in a clarification following media coverage which projected Aslam Jinnah as grand son or great grand son of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and invitation extended to him by Pakistan Baitulmal to visit Islamabad. Talking to PPI on Monday, Merchant said he had in the past clarified this position on several occasions during the period 2004 to 2007. He said it was incorrect to describe anyone except Nusli Wadia as Jinnah's grand son.
Merchant who is also Administrator Estate of Quaid-i-Azam, Managing Trustee of The Jinnah Foundation, Executive Trustee Quaid-i-Azam Aligarh Education Trust, President The Jinnah Society, author of several publications on Jinnah and recipient of Sitara-i-Imtiaz awarded by President of Pakistan in recognition of his publications on Jinnah and public services in health, education said he had never met Aslam but thought he was probably a descendent from Nathoo Poonja family.
He said Quaid-e-Azam's father Jina Poonja had two brothers Walji Poonja and Nathoo Poonja. While grand sons of Walji Poonja had come forwarded and made a claim for a share in Estate of Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah in accordance with Hanafi/ Sunni law in their capacity as distant kindred claiming through Jinnah's paternal uncle Walji Poonja, there was no claim by any male descendent of Nathoo Poonja but a claim was filed by one "Jenabai" a daughter-in-law of one of grand-sons of Nathoo Poonja but her application was dismissed as it did not merit consideration. No other claim has been filed up to date by any member of Nathoo Poonja family.
He further stated that if Mr Aslam is a descendent of Nathoo Poonja, he should establish his ancestry and make a claim before the Sindh High Court for a share. He said he only wished for the record to be set straight and had no grievance or reservation against any member of Nathoo Poonja family. He said that descendants of Walji Poonja who were settled in Karachi included Mohammad Ali, Jaffer Ali, Hussein Ali and Ghulam Ali who are now survived by Amir Ali son of Hussainali Gangji Walji.
The immediate family of Quaid-i-Azam comprised of his daughter Mrs Dina Wadia and her son Nusli Wadia. The Quaid's sisters are Rehmatbai, Mariambai, Shirinbai and Fatima Jinnah. His brother Bande Ali died and his brother Ahmad who was married to a Sunni lady had one daughter Fatima Goepfert.
Merchant said children of Quaid's sisters Rehmatbai, Mariambai and Shirinbai are no more alive. Daughter of Ahmed Jinnah lived in Switzerland while Mohtarma Fatima Jinnah did not marry. The grand-children of Quaid's sister Mariambai, presently living in Karachi are Kulsoom Ibrahim, Zehra Chandoo, Gulshan Chandoo, Rohina Peerbhoy, Liaquat Merchant, Hussein Ebrahim and Moonira Kassam. Other grand children of Jinnah's sisters Rehmatbai and Mariambai live in Bombay and Calcutta.