Pir Ilahi Bux
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| Date of Birth: | 1890 |
|---|---|
| Date of Death: | 1975 |
| Chief Minister of Sindh | |
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Pir Ilahi Bux or Pir Ilahi Buksh (Urdu: پیر الہی بخش ) was born at Pir Jo Goth near Bhansyedabad in 1890 in a spiritual family of Dadu District, Sindh, Pakistan. He was only 9 years of age when his father Pir Nawaz Ali Shah died. He was brought up by his maternal uncle Pir Lal Muhammad. His family was a descendant of Makhdoom Moosa, 5th son of Hazrat Makhdoom Sarwar Nooh Rahmatullah Alaih.
[edit] Education
Pir Sahib got his primary education from the Government Primary School Bhan Syedabad and did his matriculation from Naz High School, Khairpur (Mirs). Thereafter, he went to Aligarh Muslim University for his higher education. He was the first member of his family who received higher education. Deeply moved by the Khilafat Movement, led by Maulana Mohammad Ali Jouhar, he soon left Aligarh Muslim University and joined Jamia Millia Islamia headed by Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar and did his B.A. from there. But this Degree was not recognised by the British Government. He was so deeply motivated by the Khilafat Movement and the struggle for the freedom of the Muslim Ummah that he left his studies and returned to Sindh as a leader of Khilafat Movement.
On the suppression of the Khilafat Movement by the British Government, Pir Sahib was advised by Late Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto, the then President, District Local Board, Larkana to go back to Aligarh for completing his studies. He also awarded him scholarship of the District Board for pursuing his educational career.
Pir Sahib acceded to the advice of Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto and proceeded to Aligarh Muslim University from where he did his M.A. in History and thereafter obtained his degree in Bachelor of Law. Pir Sahib soon returned to Larkana and started his legal practice there as Dadu was part of Larkana district in those times.
[edit] Politics
After Education he started taking part in politics, He was elected member of Sindh Legislative Assembly in 1937 in the election held under the 1935 Act. He got elected again by defeating influential landlords and zamindars of that time. He founded the Sindh United Front\' which aimed at separating Sindh from Bombay Province which ultimately contributed significantly toward the establishment of Sindh as a separate Province.
He was inducted in Sindh Cabinet headed by Late Allah Bux Soomro and was given the portfolio of Education besides other Departments. Pir Sahib remained Education Minister for ten years.
Pir Sahib having been deeply inspired by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, soon joined Muslim League and became one of his most trusted Lieutenants. He was an indefatigable fighter for education in Sindh and strived hard to introduce adult education and compulsory primary education in every nook and corner of the province.
Having been deeply committed to the cause of education, he steered Sindh University Act in the Sindh Assembly and got it through. Quaid-e-Azam was deeply moved by this act of Pir Illahi Bux and personally donated Rs. 150,00OI-towards the University at that time.
Pir Sahib was one of the pioneers of S.M. College and remained as the President of Sindh Madressah Board for years together.
In 1948, he was nominated the Chief Minister of Sindh province by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad All Jinnah. Pir Sahib was always proud to have been nominated as the Chief Minister of Sindh by no less than the Quaid-e-Azam himself. He was also the founder of Sindh University and was the prime mover of the establishment of Urdu College, Karachi.
He was deeply perturbed over the mass influx of Muslim refugees from India during the early period of the establishment of Pakistan and initiated a number of moves for the settlement of refugees in Sindh. He established the famous Pir Ilahi Buksh Colony in Karachi towards the end in 1948.
He was also instrumental in inviting eminent educationists from Aligarh Muslim University, his alma mater, to serve the Muslims of Pakistan by appointing them in the Sindh University. One of such personalities was Professor A.B.A. Haleem from the Aligarh Muslim University, who was appointed by him as the first Vice Chancellor of Sindh University.
Pir Ilahi Bux died on October 8, 1975 leaving behind him 5 sons and 2 daughters. The names of the sons are Pir Muhammad Nawaz, Pir Shahnawaz, Pir Abdul Majeed, Pir Abdul Hameed and Pir Abdul Rasheed. His grandson Pir Mazhar Ul Haq Shahnawaz Advocate succeeded him in Pplitics and remained member of the Provincial assembly of Sindh and remained Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs in Sindh.
His great grand daughter Ms Marvi Mazhar is currently the member of the Provincial Assembly of Sindh from the same constintuency in Dadu, The first ever directly elected woman from the district, His great grandson Barrister Mujeeb-Ul-Haq Pir is practising Law in his chambers at PIB Law Associates in Dadu.
[edit] Books
- Pioneers of Freedom (1997)
