Abdur Rab Nishtar facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Abdur Rab Nishtar
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| سردار عبدالرب نشتر | |
Nishtar's official portrait
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| 2nd Governor of West Punjab | |
| In office 2 August 1949 – 24 November 1951 |
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| Monarch | George VI |
| Governor-General | Khawaja Nazimuddin Malik Ghulam Muhammad |
| Chief Minister | Iftikhar Hussain Khan Mumtaz Daultana |
| Preceded by | Francis Mudie |
| Succeeded by | I. I. Chundrigar |
| 1st Minister of Communications | |
| In office 15 August 1947 – 1 August 1949 |
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| Monarch | George VI |
| Governor-General | Muhammad Ali Jinnah Khawaja Nazimuddin |
| Prime Minister | Liaquat Ali Khan |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Sardar Bahadur Khan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 June 1899 Peshawar, British India (present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan) |
| Died | 14 February 1958 (aged 58) Karachi, Federal Capital Territory, Pakistan (present-day Sindh, Pakistan) |
| Resting place | Mazar-e-Quaid |
| Nationality |  British Indian (1899-1947) Pakistani (1947-1958) |
| Political party |  Muslim League (after independence) All India Muslim League (before independence) |
| Education | Edwardes College |
| Alma mater | University of the Punjab (B.A) Aligarh Muslim University (L.L.B) |
| Occupation | Politician |
Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar (born June 13, 1899 – died February 14, 1958) was an important leader who helped create Pakistan. He was a politician from the North-West Frontier Province (now called Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). After Pakistan became independent, he served as the first Minister of Communications from 1947 to 1949. Later, he became the second Governor of West Punjab from 1949 to 1951.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Abdur Rab Nishtar was born in Peshawar, British India, on June 13, 1899. His family was very religious. His father, Maulvi Abdul Hannan, was a well-known member of the Pashtun Kakar tribe. This tribe strongly opposed the British rule in South Asia.
Nishtar's family originally came from Zhob, a district in northern Balochistan. They later moved and settled in Peshawar. He went to a Christian mission school and then Sanathan Dharam High School in Bombay (now Mumbai, India). He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Punjab in Lahore in 1923. In 1925, he received a law degree (LL.B) with honors from Aligarh Muslim University.
Political Journey
Abdur Rab Nishtar was a very religious person. He was also interested in Islamic mysticism, which means a deep spiritual connection to Islam. This interest was likely influenced by his parents and his friend, Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar.
Early Political Steps
- From 1919 to 1920, he took part in the Khilafat Movement. This movement aimed to protect the Ottoman Caliphate.
- He was a member of the Indian National Congress from 1927 to 1931.
- He was elected as a Municipal Commissioner in Peshawar from 1929 to 1938.
- He joined the All-India Muslim League and became a trusted helper of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who founded Pakistan.
- From 1932 to 1936, Nishtar was part of the All India Muslim League (AIML) Council.
- He was a member of the NWFP (Northwest Frontier Province) legislative assembly from 1937 to 1945.
- He served as the Finance Minister for NWFP from 1943 to 1945.
- He was also on the AIML Working Committee from 1944 to 1947.
- In 1945, he represented the All India Muslim League at the Simla Conference.
Challenges in Politics
In 1946, Abdur Rab Nishtar faced political challenges from a rival leader, Abdul Qayyum Khan. This made it harder for Nishtar to be involved in provincial politics. Abdul Qayyum Khan was a former member of the Indian National Congress Party. He strongly opposed the idea of India remaining one country. He worked hard for the creation of an independent Muslim state.
Serving the New Nation
After the Dominion of Pakistan was formed in 1947, Nishtar was given an important role.
As Federal Minister
- He became the Minister for Communications in Pakistan. He held this position from 1947 to 1949.
- During his time, he started using the Urdu language in Pakistan Railways and the Pakistan Post Office. This was a big step for the new country.
As Governor of Punjab
- In 1949, he was appointed Governor of Punjab. He was the first Pakistani to hold this position. Before him, British governors were still in charge.
- He managed the governorship for two years. His work helped prepare the way for an elected government to return in 1951.
Later Political Roles
Abdur Rab Nishtar was a strong leader with clear ideas.
Considered for Prime Minister
After Prime Minister Liaqat Ali Khan was assassinated, Nishtar was thought to be a possible new Prime Minister. However, some senior officials, including Iskander Mirza (who later became President), did not support him. This was because Nishtar had conservative and Islamic views, while these officials had more secular and liberal views.
Leading the Opposition
Nishtar disagreed with the government when Prime Minister Khawaja Nazimuddin's government was dismissed. He felt this was an undemocratic act. Because of this, Nishtar chose to join the opposition.
Leading the Muslim League
- In 1956, when Pakistan's first constitution was adopted, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar was elected president of the Muslim League.
- He became the leader of the Muslim League party from 1956 to 1958.
- The party was expected to do well in the planned 1959 elections in West Pakistan. Sadly, he passed away before these elections.
Remembering His Contributions
Abdur Rab Nishtar is remembered for his important work for Pakistan.
Commemorative Stamp
The Pakistan Post Office honored him in 1990. They issued a special postage stamp with his picture. This stamp was part of their 'Pioneers of Freedom' series.
Death and Legacy
Abdur Rab Nishtar died on February 14, 1958, in Karachi. He had a heart attack. He had been suffering from heart disease and high blood pressure since 1953.
Many places are named after him to honor his contributions:
- Nishtar Medical College and Nishtar Hospital in Multan.
- Nishtar Hall in Peshawar.
- Nishtar Park and Nishtar Road in Karachi.
He was buried at Mazar-e-Quaid, close to the Tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. This was to recognize his great service in the creation of Pakistan.
Abdur Rab Nishtar was known as a sincere political leader and a kind person. He played a big part in the All-India Muslim League. He helped create political awareness and an Islamic spirit among Muslims in the Indian subcontinent.
He was a close friend of Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Maulana Shaukat Ali. His younger brother, Sardar Abdul Ghayur, was a senior diplomat. Several other family members also became important figures, including General Abdul Waheed Kakar (a former Chief of Army Staff) and Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao (a former Chief Minister and Interior Minister). His grandson is married to Dr. Sania Nishtar, a well-known physician and public health expert.
See Also
- List of Governors of Punjab (Pakistan)
- List of Governors of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
