The All India Muslim League was founded in 1906 at the annual Muhammadan Educational Conference in Dhaka to protect Muslim political interests in British India. Sir Muhammad Shafi proposed the name "All India Muslim League". Its objectives included securing political rights for Muslims, representing their needs to the government, and preventing growth of ill will between Muslims and other groups. The Muslim League went on to play a key role in the Pakistan Movement and the establishment of Pakistan as an independent state for Muslims in South Asia in 1947.