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Ashfaq Ahmed

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For other uses, see Ashfaq Ahmed (disambiguation).

Ashfaq Ahmed
اشفاق احمد

SI PP
Born(1925-08-22)22 August 1925
Muktsar, Punjab, British India
Died7 September 2004(2004-09-07) (aged 79)
Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
OccupationWriter, playwright, intellectual
NationalityPakistani
GenreFiction, non-fiction
SubjectLiterature, philosophy, psychology, socialism
Notable worksTalqeen Shah, Aik Muhabbat So Afsaney, Gadariya, Tota Kahani, Mann Chale Ka Sauda, Zavia, Farhang Istalahaat
Notable awardsSitara-i-Imtiaz
Pride of Performance (1979)
SpouseBano Qudsia
ChildrenAneeq Ahmed Khan, Anees Ahmed Khan, Aseer Ahmed Khan

Ashfaq Ahmed (Urdu: اشفاق احمد خان; 22 August 1925 – 7 September 2004) was a Pakistani writer, playwright and broadcaster.[1][2] His works in Urdu included novels, short stories and plays for Pakistan Television and Radio Pakistan. He is the recipient of Presidential Pride of Performance and Sitara-i-Imtiaz (Star of Excellence) awards for his everlasting services in the field of broadcasting and literary heritage of Pakistan.[3]

Early life and education

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Ashfaq Ahmed was born on 22 August 1925 in Muktsar, Punjab, British India, in an ethnic Pashtun family of the Mohmand tribe.[1][4][5][6] His early education was in Muktsar.[4][5][7]

He completed a Master of Arts degree in Urdu literature from Government College Lahore. His wife, Bano Qudsia, was also a student there.[8] Subsequently, he served as a lecturer at Dayal Singh College in Lahore for two years. He later moved to Rome, where he worked as an Urdu newscaster for Radio Rome and taught Urdu at the University of Rome. During his time in Europe, he earned diplomas in Italian and French from the University of Rome and the University of Grenoble, respectively. He also obtained a specialized diploma in radio broadcasting from New York University.[9]

Ahmed travelled widely and could speak Pashto, Punjabi, Urdu, English, Italian and French.[1]

Career

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Literature

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Ahmed wrote over thirty books. His short story (afsana), Gaddarya (The Shepherd) earned him early fame in 1955.[2]

From his own resources, he created the Central Board for the Development of Urdu in Lahore.[3]

Cinema

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In 1968, he wrote and directed the Urdu movie Dhoop Aur Sayay (Sun and Shades), which was also the only Urdu production of Hakim Ali Zardari. It was a failure at the box-office, but Ahmed argued that it was because its content was ahead of its time and anticipated the Parallel cinema movement in India.[9]

Later years, death and legacy

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Ashfaq Ahmed's Grave in Model Town, Lahore

On 7 September 2004, Ahmed died of pancreatic cancer. He was buried in Model Town, Lahore, Pakistan.[1]

In November 2004, Allama Iqbal Open University staff organized an event in Islamabad to pay tributes to Ahmed. At this event, Chairman, National Language Authority, Fateh Muhammad Malik stated that with the death of Ashfaq Ahmed, a vacuum had been created in the literary world of Pakistan. Chairman, Pakistan Academy of Letters, Iftikhar Arif also paid tribute to him as a dynamic literary figure and said that one of his priorities had always remained welfare of the people.[3]

Selected media work

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Radio plays

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  • Talqeen Shah (1962)
  • Baithak (The Guest Room)

Television shows

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  • Uchhay Burj Lahore De / اُچے برج لاہور دے[2]
  • Tali Thallay / ٹالی تھلے
  • Tota Kahani (1970s)[1] / توتا کہانی
  • Aik Mohabbat Sau Afsanay (1975–76)[10] / ایک محبت سو افسانے
  • Aur Dramay / اور ڈرامے
  • Zavia[1] / زاویہ

Selected bibliography

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Ashfaq Ahmed authored numerous works including short stories, novels, plays, essays, and spiritual reflections. Below is a list of his major books:

Year Urdu Title (Romanized) English Title Description
1961 گڈریا (Gadariya) The Shepherd A play about the struggles and innocence of a rural shepherd.
1962 پہلی عورت (Pehli Aurat) The First Woman A radio play focusing on women's role in society.
1963 تلخیاں (Talkhiyan) Bitterness Collection of early short stories exploring existential themes.
1971 ایک محبت سو افسانے (Ek Mohabbat Sau Afsanay) One Love, a Hundred Tales Famous collection of poignant short stories centered on love and human emotions.
1973 کھلیاں (Khaliyan) The Ears of Corn A short story collection reflecting rural life and social issues.
1974 توٹا کہانی (Tota Kahani) The Parrot’s Tale Allegorical stories with moral and philosophical undertones.
1974 اوچّے برج لاہور دے (Uchhay Burj Lahore De) The Lofty Towers of Lahore Essays celebrating Lahore’s history and culture.
1975 من چلے کا سودا (Man Chalay Ka Sauda) The Bargain of a Restless Soul A spiritual and philosophical play exploring Sufi themes.
1977 آدھی بات (Aadhi Baat) Half the Story A reflective play with philosophical undertones.
1978 آؤ اردو سیکھیں (Aao Urdu Seekhein) Come, Let’s Learn Urdu A practical guide to learning Urdu.
1983 پنچایت (Panchayat) The Village Council A play depicting rural justice and social dynamics.
1988 سفر در سفر (Safar Dar Safar) Journey Within Journeys A travelogue interwoven with spiritual reflections.
1990s بند گلی (Band Gali) The Dead End Stories illustrating the dilemmas of modern life.
1994 بڑا گاؤں (Bara Gaon) The Big Village Essays on society and human relationships.
1997 مہمان سرائے (Mehman Saraye) The Guesthouse A collection of radio and TV reflections; metaphorical essays.
2001 بابا صاحبا (Baba Sahiba) Respected Elder Philosophical reflections on spiritual and worldly life, in epistolary form.
2001–2004 زاویہ (Zaviya) Vol. 1–3 The Perspective A compilation of his TV talks and reflections on society, spirituality, and morality.
n.d. ودیاع جنگ (Vidaa-e-Jang) Farewell to War Essays and stories about the futility of war.
n.d. اور ڈرامے (Aur Dramay) More Plays A compilation of plays written for radio and stage.
n.d. پھولوں کا سفر (Phoolon Ka Safar) Journey of Flowers Reflections and allegories on spiritual awakening.
n.d. صبح ہونے تک (Subah Honay Tak) Until Morning Comes Short stories about despair and hope.

Awards and recognition

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Ashfaq Ahmed remembered Dawn (newspaper), Published 16 September 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2019
  2. ^ a b c "About Ashfaq". Zaviia.com website. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  3. ^ a b c ISLAMABAD: Tributes paid to Ashfaq Ahmed Dawn (newspaper), Published 1 November 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2019
  4. ^ a b Iqbal, M 1999, Colours of Loneliness, Oxford University Press, p.391
  5. ^ a b Iqbal, Muzaffar (1999). Colours of loneliness. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195778502. Retrieved 13 March 2016.
  6. ^ "The enigma behind the man". The News International (newspaper). Retrieved 26 February 2019., Biography of Ashfaq Ahmed
  7. ^ "Ashfaq Ahmed". Pakistanconnections.com website. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  8. ^ "In life, in literature: the Siamese twins". Pakistan: Dawn. 10 April 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  9. ^ a b "Ashfaq Ahmed". Pride of Pakistan. Archived from the original on 8 July 2025.
  10. ^ Nadeem F. Paracha (1 March 2015). "The sage, the populist and the dictator". Pakistan: Dawn. Retrieved 26 February 2019.
  11. ^ Ashfaq Ahmed, winner of Sitara-i-Imtiaz Award and Pride of Performance Award on urdunovelsorg.com website Retrieved 26 February 2019
  12. ^ Ashfaq Ahmed remembered (includes his awards info) The News International (newspaper), Published 8 September 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2019
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