Ashfaq Ahmed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ashfaq Ahmed
اشفاق احمد SI PP
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 22 August 1925 Muktsar, Punjab, British India |
| Died | 7 September 2004 (aged 79) Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan |
| Occupation | Writer, playwright, intellectual |
| Nationality | Pakistani |
| Genre | Fiction, non-fiction |
| Subject | Literature, philosophy, psychology, socialism |
| Notable works | Talqeen Shah, Aik Muhabbat So Afsaney, Gadariya, Tota Kahani, Mann Chale Ka Sauda, Zavia, Farhang Istalahaat |
| Notable awards | Sitara-i-Imtiaz Pride of Performance (1979) |
| Spouse | Bano Qudsia |
| Children | Aneeq Ahmed Khan, Anees Ahmed Khan, Aseer Ahmed Khan |
Ashfaq Ahmed (Urdu: اشفاق احمد خان) was a famous writer, playwright, and broadcaster from Pakistan. He was born on August 22, 1925, and passed away on September 7, 2004. He wrote many novels, short stories, and plays. His works were enjoyed on television and radio across Pakistan. For his great contributions to literature and broadcasting, he received two important awards: the Pride of Performance and the Sitara-i-Imtiaz.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ashfaq Ahmed was born in a town called Muktsar, in Punjab, which was part of British India at the time. His family belonged to the Pashtun tribe called Mohmand. He went to school in Muktsar.
Before India was divided in 1947, he moved to Pakistan. He settled in Lahore, Punjab. He studied at Government College Lahore. There, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Urdu literature. His wife, Bano Qudsia, who also became a well-known Urdu writer, was his classmate.
Ashfaq Ahmed loved to travel a lot. He could speak many languages, including Punjabi, Urdu, English, Italian, and French.
His Amazing Career
Even as a young boy, Ashfaq Ahmed loved to write stories. Some of his early stories were published in Phool (which means "Flower"), a magazine especially for children.
After returning to Pakistan from Europe, he started his own monthly magazine called Dastaango (meaning "Story Teller"). He also began working for Radio Pakistan as a script writer. Later, the Government of Pakistan made him the editor of a popular Urdu weekly magazine called Lail-o-Nahar (Day and Night).
In 1962, Ashfaq Ahmed started a radio program called Talqeen Shah (The Preacher). This show became very popular. It made him famous in many towns and villages. In 1966, he became the director of the Markazi Urdu Board. This board was later renamed the Urdu Science Board. He worked there for 29 years, until 1979. He also advised the Education Ministry for some time.
Ashfaq Ahmed wrote more than thirty books. His short story, Gaddarya (The Shepherd), published in 1955, brought him early fame. He also created the Central Board for the Development of Urdu in Lahore using his own money.
Popular Radio Plays
Ashfaq Ahmed wrote many plays for radio that people loved:
- Talqeen Shah (1962)
- Baithak (The Guest Room)
Famous Television Shows
He also wrote and hosted many popular TV shows:
- Uchhay Burj Lahore De / اُچے برج لاہور دے
- Tali Thallay / ٹالی تھلے
- Tota Kahani (1970s) / توتا کہانی
- Aik Mohabbat Sau Afsanay (1975–76) / ایک محبت سو افسانے
- Aur Dramay / اور ڈرامے
- Zavia / زاویہ
His Books
Ashfaq Ahmed wrote many books, covering different topics. Here are some of his well-known works:
- Zaviya / زاویہ #1
- Zaviya 2 / زاویہ #2
- Zaviya 3 / زاویہ #3
- Aik Mohabbat Sau Afsanay / ایک محبت سو افسافے
- Mann Chalay Ka Sauda / من چلے کا سودا
- Gadaria: Ujley Phool / گڈریا: اُجلے پھول
- Safar e Maina / سفرِ مینا
- Tahli Thalley / ٹاہلی تھلے
- Mehman Bahaar / مہمان بہار
- Vidaa e Jang / وداعِ جنگ
- Changez Khan ke Sunehri Shaheen / چنگیز خاں کے سنہری شاہین
- Khattya Wattya / کھٹیا وٹیا
- Tota Kahani / توتا کہانی
- Qumkaar / قمکار
- Garma Garm / گرما گرم
- Haft Zabani Lughaat / ہفت زبانی لغات
- Doosron Se Nibah / دوسروں سے نباہ
- Aik Hi Boli / ایک ہی بولی
- Subhaney Fasaney / صبحانے فسانے
- Band Gali / بند گلی
- Mehman Saraey / مہمان سرائے
- Baba Sahiba / بابا صاحبا
- Safar Dar Safar / سفر در سفر
- Ucche Burj Lahore De / اُچے بُرج لاہور دے
- Tilisam Hosh Afza / طلسم ہوش افزا
- Aur Dramey / اور ڈرامے
- Nange Paun / ننگے پاؤں
- Hasrat Tameer / حسرت تعمیر
- Jang Bajang / جنگ بجنگ
- Aik Muhabbat So Dramey / ایک محبت سو ڈرامے
- Hairat Kadah / حیرت کدہ
- Shaahla Kot / شاہلا کوٹ
- Khel Tamasha / کھیل تماشا
- Guldaan / گلدان
- Dheenga Mushti / دھینگا مُشتی
- Shora Shori / شورا شوری
- Dhandora / ڈھنڈورا
- Arz e Musannif / عرضِ مصنف
- Fankar / فنکار
- Mukhtalif Mashron Mein Aurat Ki Hasiyat / مختلف معاشروں میں عورت کی حیثیت
Later Years and Legacy
In his later life, Ashfaq Ahmed became very interested in Sufism. He was close friends with other famous writers like Qudrat Ullah Shahab and Mumtaz Mufti. He also spent time with Baba Mohammad Yahya Khan.
He used to meet his fans on PTV programs like Baithak (The Guest Room) and Zaviya (The Angle). On these shows, he would answer questions from young people in a quick and thoughtful way.
Ashfaq Ahmed passed away on September 7, 2004, due to cancer. He was buried in Model Town, Lahore, Pakistan.
After his death, many people paid tribute to him. The Chairman of the National Language Authority, Fateh Muhammad Malik, said that his death left a big empty space in Pakistan's literary world. The Chairman of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, Iftikhar Arif, also praised him as a dynamic writer who always cared about people's well-being.
Awards and Recognition
Ashfaq Ahmed received several important awards for his work:
- Pride of Performance Award (1979)
- Sitara-i-Imtiaz Award by the President of Pakistan
Images for kids
-
Ashfaq Ahmed, a famous Pakistani writer.
-
Ashfaq Ahmed's Grave in Model Town, Lahore.
.jpg)
See also
- List of Pakistani writers
- List of Urdu language writers
