 On 6 July 1948 , Jinnah returned to Quetta , but at the advice of doctors , soon journeyed to an even higher retreat at Ziarat . Jinnah had always been reluctant to undergo medical treatment , but realising his condition was getting worse , the Pakistani government sent the best doctors it could find to treat him . Tests confirmed tuberculosis , and also showed evidence of advanced lung cancer . Jinnah was informed and asked for full information on his disease and for care in how his sister was told . He was treated with the new " miracle drug " of streptomycin , but it did not help . Jinnah 's condition continued to deteriorate despite the Eid prayers of his people . He was moved to the lower altitude of Quetta on 13 August , the eve of Independence Day , for which a statement ghost @-@ written for him was released . Despite an increase in appetite ( he then weighed just over 36 kilograms [ 79 lb ] ) , it was clear to his doctors that if he was to return to Karachi in life , he would have to do so very soon . Jinnah , however , was reluctant to go , not wishing his aides to see him as an invalid on a stretcher . 
