Malik Allahyar Khan

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Malik Allahyar Khan, Khunda

Malik Allahyar, a renowned parliamentarian from Pakistan was born on June 2nd, 1927 in Khunda, a small village in District Attock. His father Malik Khaki Jan was a prominent landlord of the area who was also given the title of Khan Bahadur by the British government. His mother Bibi Beherawar Sultan was the daughter of a leading Muslim Barrister from N.W.F.P Mufti Fida Muhammad Khan.He had five siblings, four brothers and a sister. He was educated at Gordon College, Rawalpindi and Zamindar College, Gujrat where he participated in many extra curricular activities like athletics, tennis, weight lifting as well as debates. He also has the distinction of being the champion in an all Pakistan debating championship. Even from his college days he got interested in politics and was a senior member of the Muslim Students Federation. He held long marches against the Cripps mission and was imprisoned for a period of six months. He did his LLB from Law College, Lahore where he proved his mettle as an orator. He was married on January 28th, 1950 to Bibi Miluk Bano, daughter of Sardar Dost Muhammad Khan. After completing his studies he set up his practice in the than Campbellpur( present day Attock. His sons Malik Shehryar Khan and Capt. (Rtd) Malik Aitbar khan were born in 1951 and 1952 respectively. Malik Shehryar is a senior Government officer while Capt. (Rtd) Malik Aitbar khan was elected an MPA in the Punjab Assembly in February 2008. Malik Allahyar Khan's first steps into the political fore were in 1956 when he contested and won the district council election. Later, he was given a lot of prominence by the government of Ayub Khan as a young and dynamic youth leader. He participated in various youth conferences around the world representing the new image of Pakistani youth. He became the Minister for railways and Jail in 1964 representing West Pakistan , a post which he held until 1969. His tenure was one of fairness where the helpless got to speak their voices. The 70s were a difficult period as the government of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was bent upon destroying all who came from a feudal background indiscriminate of their sincerity or hard work. The family of Malik Allahyar khan gave up the most land in the land reforms of the Ayub government as well as the Bhutto government yet they were persecuted and even their lives were threatened. The 1980's heralded a new beginning as Malik Allahyar was nominated for the post of Punjab Chief Minister which was however given to Mian Nawaz Sharif on the insistence of the than Governor Punjab, Gen. (Rtd) Ghulam Jillani. He was than given the post of the provincial Minister for Social Security. His aim was the welfare of the masses and thus he set up the department of Social Security to provide relief to the down trodden. In his later years he contested the National Assembly elections in 1987, 1993, 2002 winning in 1993 and 2002. He also contested for the post of District Nazim Attock which he lost by only 2 votes. Late he contested the National Assembly elections which he won with a landslide victory. His entire life has been an example of truth, sincerity, hard work and compassion. His spotless past led him towards being nominated for the prestigious post of the Chairman, Public Accounts Committee. He was foremost in speaking out against the sugar scandal and various other instances of carelessness and corruption by the than government as well as the governments of the past. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2007 which he battled with courage and spirit but he finally succumbed to it. He died on April 5th 2008 at the age of 81 at Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi. He will always be remembered as a person of integrity and fortitude who always spoke up for the down trodden. He is unique because in Pakistani politics he stands out as a shining example of uprightness which he managed to achieve with politeness and civility.