Qudrat Ullah Shahab
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Qudrat Ullah Shahab (or Qudratullah Shahab; 1917–1986) (Urdu: قدرت اللہ شہاب) was an eminent Urdu writer and civil servant from Pakistan.
Contents |
[edit] His Life
[edit] Early years
He was born in Gilgit where his father was Abdullah Sahib was governor during Dogra rule. Most of his schooling was in Kashmir, and there he excelled both in Urdu and English languages. Without telling anyone he wrote an essay and won the world competition by Reader's Digest, a rare achievement for any Indian Muslim in those days. Then he came to Government College Lahore for his college education.
[edit] Indian Civil Service
He was selected for Indian Civil Service and later volunteered himself for Bengal during famine years. He came under heavy fire of the authorities when he distributed one of the strategic wheat reserves to starving local community.
[edit] Pakistan and his career
After coming to Pakistan he was first posted to Azad Kashmir at Muzaffarabad as chief secretary of the new state. From there he came to Jhang, Punjab, as Deputy Commissioner. He then served as Director of Industries of Punjab and had to mostly deal with settlement issues concerning migration. He was first appointed by Ghulam Muhammad as his personal secretary. He remained there during Iskander Mirza and Ayub Khan’s time. He then became Secretary Education and later went to Netherland as ambassador.
[edit] Retirement Years
Although he tried to resign couple of times during his career, it was not realized till he saw Yahya Khan’s military rule. His trouble with government circles forced him to leave Pakistan for United Nations, where he became member of UNESCO. He was denied pension from Government of Pakistan for few years. During that time in England he toured Palestine as an Iranian businessman to investigate the changes made in curriculum and education by the occupation authorities of Israel. His spying job was successful and all of his documentary evidences were accepted by UN. This mission was primarily sponsored by Arab representatives of the United Nations.
[edit] Writing Shahab Nama
His master piece, Shahab Nama, was finished but still un-published when he died in 1986. It made him immediately a house hold name in Pakistan. Its idea came when he was visiting his friend Ibn-e-Insha in England and they were talking about the philosophy of life. He then started writing chapters and read them in reading circles. Some were published in newspapers and magazines.
[edit] Family
- Abdullah Sahib: His father was a graduate of Aligarh, and Governor of Gilgit
- Mother: Shahab wrote Maan Ji on his mother
- Iffat Shahab: Wife who died in England in early 70s
- Saqib Shahb: Only son who is a Medical doctor
[edit] Literary Circle
His circle of friends included writers like Ashfaq Ahmed, Bano Qudsia, Mumtaz Mufti, and Ibn-e-Insha.
[edit] Major works
- Shahab Nama
- Maan Ji
- Surkh Feeta
- Ya Khuda
[edit] External links
- Pictures gallery of Shahab, from Flickr
- Believing the unbelievable by Khalid Hasan (article), from khalidhasan.net
