| Abdul Qayyum Khan( Nicknamed as lion of Frontier) by his supporters | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 16, 1901 Chitral, Dominion of Pakistan |
| Died | September 22, 1981 (aged 80) Peshawar N.W.F.P now Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Political party | Muslim League. |
| Alma mater | Government College University |
| Religion | Islam |
Abdul Qayyum Khan (16 July 1901 – 22 October 1981) was a major figure in Pakistan politics, in particular in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province where he served as deputy speaker, Chief Minister and Minister in the Central Government and as Federal Interior Minister.
Contents |
His father Khan Abdul Hakim was a Tehsildar in N.W.F.P now Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Qayyum Khan, a barrister by profession, was of Kashmiri origin.One of his brother Abdul Hamid khan was the prime minister of POK Jammu and Kashmir.Abdul Qayum Khan was one of the eminent lawyer of N.W.F.P.He during his professional career conducted some very important cases. He used to practice in criminal law. Mirza shamul Haq was his most trust worthy person.Who remained always closer to him during profession and politics.Abdul Qayum was assisted in his chambers by Muhammad Nazirullah Khan advocate.Who later served as a provincial Secretary General of Pakistan Muslim League.
Formerly a member of the Indian National Congress, Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan had served as an elected member of the Central Legislative Assembly (1937-38) as well as the deputy leader of the Congress in the Assembly. He was an ardent admirer of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, so much so that he authored a book: Gold and Guns, in which he praised the leadership of Bacha Khan and his political vision and mission. [1]
He joined the Muslim League in the mid 1940s and became a key figure in the Pakistan movement in N.W.F.P now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. An honest man, but a strict ruler, he was known for his development work in the province, especially for the construction of Peshawar University, primary education, hydro-electric projects like the Warsak dam and his deep dislike as well as brutal suppression of the Khudai Khidmatgar movement.[2] His role in ordering the Babra Sharif massacre is one which he faces much criticism for, that in combination with the brutal crackdown against his former colleagues in the Congress party earned him their lasting hatred. He led the Muslim League to a landslide victory in the controversial 1951 elections, despite opposition from the Khudai Khidmatgar movement and opposition from Federally backed fellow Muslim league opponents like Yusuf Khattak.[3]
He served as Central Minister for Industries, Food and Agriculture Minister in 1953.
Arrested by the Ayub Khan regime, he was disqualified from politics and imprisoned for two years before finally being released.
Contesting the 1970 elections from three seats as leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Qayyum faction he won two National Assembly seats one provincial seat and in 1973 entered into alliance with the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) after East Pakistan broke away in the Bangladesh Liberation War.
Appointed Federal interior Minister by Zulfiqar Bhutto he served in that post till the 1977 elections when his party suffered a near total rout. After Zia-ul-Haqs assumption of power, Qayyum Khan tried to unify all the disparate Muslim League factions. His efforts were inconclusive and he died on 22 October 1981.[4]
He was always opposed by Khan Habibullah Khan; they were life-long rivals since they were young class-mates at Islamia College, Peshawar.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Khan Abdul Jabbar Khan |
Chief Minister of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa 1947 – 1953 |
Succeeded by Sardar Abdur Rashid Khan |
| Preceded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto |
Interior Minister of Pakistan 1972 – 1977 |
Succeeded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto |