Ashfaq Ahmed (; 22 August 1925 – 7 September 2004) was a Pakistani writer, playwright and broadcaster. 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.ISLAMABAD: Tributes paid to Ashfaq Ahmed Dawn (newspaper), Published 1 November 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2019
Early life and education Ashfaq Ahmed was born on 22 August 1925 in Muktsar, Punjab, British India, in an ethnic Pashtun family of the Mohmand tribe.Ashfaq Ahmed remembered Dawn (newspaper), Published 16 September 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2019Iqbal, M 1999, Colours of Loneliness, Oxford University Press, p.391, Biography of Ashfaq Ahmed His early education was in Muktsar.
He completed a Master of Arts degree in Urdu literature from Government College Lahore. His wife, Bano Qudsia, was also a student there. 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.
Career Literature As a boy he wrote stories, which were published in Phool (Flower), a magazine for children. After returning to Pakistan from Europe, he took out his own monthly literary magazine, Dastaango (Story Teller), and joined Radio Pakistan as a script writer. He was made editor of the popular Urdu weekly, Lail-o-Nahar (Day and Night), in place of famous poet Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum by the Government of Pakistan.Ashfaq Ahmed remembered Dawn (newspaper), Published 16 September 2009. Retrieved 26 February 2019
Ahmed wrote over thirty books. His short story (afsana), Gaddarya (The Shepherd) earned him early fame in 1955.
From his own resources, he created the Central Board for the Development of Urdu in Lahore.ISLAMABAD: Tributes paid to Ashfaq Ahmed Dawn (newspaper), Published 1 November 2004. Retrieved 25 February 2019
Radio In 1962, Ashfaq Ahmed started his radio program, Talqeen Shah (The Preacher) which made him popular among the people in towns and villages. He was appointed director of the Markazi Urdu Board in 1966, which was later renamed as Urdu Science Board, a post he held for 29 years. He remained with the board until 1979. He also served as an adviser in the Education Ministry during Zia-ul-Haq's regime.
Cinema 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.
Later years, death and legacy
On 7 September 2004, Ahmed died of pancreatic cancer. He was buried in Model Town, Lahore, Pakistan.
In November 2004, Allama Iqbal Open University staff organized an event in Islamabad to pay tribute to Ahmed. At this eventNational Language Authority Chairman Fateh Muhammad Malik stated that the death of Ashfaq Ahmed had left a vacuum in the literary world of Pakistan. Pakistan Academy of Letters Chairman 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.
Selected media work
Radio plays Talqeen Shah (1962) Baithak (The Guest Room)
Television shows Uchhay Burj Lahore De / Tali Thallay / Tota Kahani (1970s) / Aik Mohabbat Sau Afsanay (1975–76) / Aur Dramay / Zavia / Selected bibliography Ashfaq Ahmed authored numerous works including short stories, novels, plays, essays, and spiritual reflections. Below is a list of his major books: YearUrdu title (Romanized)English titleDescription1961گڈریا (Gadariya)The ShepherdA play about the struggles and innocence of a rural shepherd.1962پہلی عورت (Pehli Aurat)The First WomanA radio play focusing on women's role in society.1963تلخیاں (Talkhiyan)BitternessCollection of early short stories exploring existential themes.1971ایک محبت سو افسانے (Ek Mohabbat Sau Afsanay)One Love, a Hundred TalesFamous collection of poignant short stories centered on love and human emotions.1973کھلیاں (Khaliyan)The Ears of CornA short story collection reflecting rural life and social issues.1974طوطا کہانی (Tota Kahani)The Parrot’s TaleAllegorical stories with moral and philosophical undertones.1974اُچے برج لاہور دے (Uchhay Burj Lahore De)The Lofty Towers of LahoreEssays celebrating Lahore’s history and culture.1975من چلے کا سودا (Man Chalay Ka Sauda)Obsession of a Restless SoulA spiritual and philosophical play exploring Sufi themes.1977آدھی بات (Aadhi Baat)Half the StoryA reflective play with philosophical undertones.1978آؤ اردو سیکھیں (Aao Urdu Seekhein)Come, Let’s Learn UrduA practical guide to learning Urdu.1983پنچایت (Panchayat)The Village CouncilA play depicting rural justice and social dynamics.1988سفر در سفر (Safar Dar Safar)Journey Within JourneysA travelogue interwoven with spiritual reflections.1990sبند گلی (Band Gali)The Dead EndStories illustrating the dilemmas of modern life.1994بڑا گاؤں (Bara Gaon)The Big VillageEssays on society and human relationships.1997مہمان سرائے (Mehman Saraye)The GuesthouseA collection of radio and TV reflections; metaphorical essays.2001بابا صاحبا (Baba Sahiba)Respected ElderPhilosophical reflections on spiritual and worldly life, in epistolary form.2001–2004زاویہ (Zaviya) Vol. 1–3The PerspectiveA compilation of his TV talks and reflections on society, spirituality, and morality.n.d.ودیاع جنگ (Vidaa-e-Jang)Farewell to WarEssays and stories about the futility of war.n.d.اور ڈرامے (Aur Dramay)More PlaysA compilation of plays written for radio and stage.n.d.پھولوں کا سفر (Phoolon Ka Safar)Journey of FlowersReflections and allegories on spiritual awakening.n.d.صبح ہونے تک (Subah Honay Tak)Until Morning ComesShort stories about despair and hope.
Awards and recognition Pride of Performance Award (1979)Ashfaq Ahmed, winner of Sitara-i-Imtiaz Award and Pride of Performance Award on urdunovelsorg.com website Retrieved 26 February 2019 Sitara-i-Imtiaz Award by the President of PakistanAshfaq Ahmed remembered (includes his awards info) The News International (newspaper), Published 8 September 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2019
See also List of Pakistani writers List of Urdu language writers
References
External links