Important Personalities

Prominent Personalities of The District:

          A Literary history of the Baloches by Muhammad Sardar Khan Baloch on page 34 states Geo historical facts combined with nomadism and tribalism proved a bar to the culture of cultivation. The monotony of social policy and barrenness of the country is reciprocally reflected in the Baloch physical and mental makeup. The rock walled country is hardly conducive to the growth and evolution of knowledge and culture and consequently led to the dearth of men of letters and literature. As a result the district of Rajanpur has not been well infested with men of prominence and popularity. But amongst the most memorable figures who were born lived and passed off the scene leaving behind indelible mark of their personality in the district the men of Spiritual Domination have always prevailed upon the men holding the domain of Mundane affairs. Here the invisible frontiers of Spirit have more or less encompassed the visible world of Matter.

          The origin and growth of the headquarters town of the district of Rajanpur has a synthetic blend of spiritual ancestry. The father of the founder of the town of Rajanpur was a man of purity and piety. He was prominent as a great spiritual leader of his time and wielded great influence over his followers much before his son Mukhdoom Sheikh Rajan Shah assumed political power and earned fame as first sovereign of the district. But the list of those who should be prominent as ran of power and money is as short as is the length of the list of such spiritual personalities who made their weight felt over the social religious cultural and sometimes even the political sphere of the area. Among them some of the most important figures are as follows:-

HAZRAT NOOR MUHAMMAD NAROWALLEY:

          He was one of the most prominent mystics of the area. The great Hazrat khawaja Ghulam Farid was directly influenced by him and spent nine days in seclusion in a Hujra near the tomb of the mystic. He meditated all the night and fasted during the day. His Spiritual Guide (Murshid) Noor Muhammad Maharvi had said Could there be a disciple to his own disciple I must have become disciple of Hazrat Noor Muhammad Narowalley. His tomb stands to the west of Hajipur town and has a gate in the South which is called the gate of Heaven. It is opened once a year to the attending pilgrims and close to this tomb is located a very old mosque. Hazrat Sahib occupies an esteemed position among the mystics and many of the saints of his time bear the mark of his education and influence.

HAZRAT KHAWAJA NOOR MUHAMMAD OF MUHAMMAD PUR DEWAN:

          The tomb of Hazrat Khawaja Noor Muhammad is situated in Muhammad pur Dewan Tehsil Jampur. He was the disciple of Hazrat Noor Muhammad Narowalley. His annual Urs is held on 14th Ramadan ul Mubarak every year and the celebrations are spread over three days. His simple tomb is constructed in the old style. He lived and preached for more than 13 year and die in 1251 A.H. It is said when Khawaja Noor Muhammad was a disciple his master asked him to fetch timber from the woods along with his other companions. They all were caught up in torrential rain while collecting timber. All his fellow mates along with their load of timber were drenched with water to the base of their skin but both the load and person of Khawaja Sahib remained as dry as the bright.

HAZRAT KHAWAJA GHULAM FARID OF MITHAN KOT:

          The Saint Poet Hazrat khawaja Ghulam Farid occupies a unique place of unsurpassed value and vintage in the world of soul and spirit. He was not only a saint of unparallel reputation but was also a poet of the greatest merit in the Sareiki Language. He rendered almost the whole of his philosophy and Teachings into the poetical literature of the classic type. His poetry carries the massage of Islamic ethics and social equality among the Muslims. He was not only inspired by the eternal teachings of Islam but also had keen eye on his surroundings. He therefore expressed his thoughts and ideas by symbolizing the phenomenon of nature around him with the teaching of Islam and the concept of Triqat. His Poetry has been translated into English and is greatly appreciated and admired throughout Pakistan.

          He was Born in 1261 A.H. in Chachran Sharif District Rahim Yar khan. His father Khawaja Khuda Bakhsh was a God fearing man was known for his prayers and piety. The pore fathers of Khawaja Sahib had migrated from Arabia and were from the line of Basir Bin Abdullah Bin Omar Farooq. Mithan Khan one of the prominent personalities of the area became a devoted disciple of the Khawaja family. He crossed over the Indus and founded the town of Mithan kot. When khawaja Sahib grew up in to spiritual prominence he migrated and permanently settled in that town. Khawaja Ghulam Farid was a bright and brilliant child from early age. He was clear in speech comprehensive in expression and devoted in his deeds and actions of everyday life as a boy. He had all the indications ot forecast the force of his soul and spirit which associated him with live of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and the fear of God Almighty.

          He learnt the Holy Quran at the tender age eight by heart. He acquired the knowledge and education of Arabic and Persian by the time he was sixteen. He was the disciple of his elder brother Khawaja Fakhar Jahan. After the death of his master he succeeded him at the age of 28. He spent most of his time in meditating and praying at Rohi. His poetry is full of references to the place of his prayers and seclusion from the hue and cry of the world at large.

          The Poetry of Khawaja Farid has been recognized and acknowledge as a Classic work in Sareiki Literature. But to confine his thoughts and expressions to the limits of literature is to dany the claim of his poetry as bearing the message of the Mystic. The generally understandable version of Mysticism implies the Concept of Triqat which lays emphasis on complete subjugation of One’s body and soul with total commitment to God Almighty. This commitment entails unconditional love of Muhammad (Peace be upon him) the last Holy Prophet of Allah.

          Measured on the standard thus set the verses of Khawaja Farid abound in delicacy of expression clarity of thought purity of dedication and piety of emotions. It has spontaneous flow of rhythmic music and possesses simple beauty of its relationship to the very day situation of normal social and cultural life of the area. Visibly it appears to be the remorse of a worldly lover for his separated beloved. Inwardly the depth and the contents of its meaning simple hold the groans and grief of one who is totally lost in the passionate love of Muhammad (Peace upon him) and dedicated meditation of God Almighty in seclusion. The Following Sareiki verses which have been rendered into English explain the fundamentals of his massage and meaning of the Supremacy and Power of God over this Universe (Page 474 Kalam e Farid)   

          He was indeed the true son of the soil. He stood for liberty and despised the rule of the British enslaving the masses of the country. His poetry, therefore, also carries the massage of liberty and revolution to the people of his land. He wanted to perform Hajj at the head of a large contingent which swelled in number by the time he sailed for this purpose from Bombay in 1292 A.H. The Nawab of Bahawalpur was one of his favoring followers and his disciples were spread far and wide. His Urs takes place on sixth Rabi-ul-Thani every year.

          People from all over the country come to pay their homage and respect to this saint poet at the time of his Urs. In short he lived a life of a saint and is remembered as a symbol of purity after his death.

KHAWAJA MUHAMMAD HASSAN PITAFI:

          He was notable mystic of Rajanpur and lies buried in the very town he had been living in. The exact date of his birth and death is not known but it has been said that he was a disciple and contemporary and Khawaja Noor Muhammad Narowalley. One of his principal contributions was the conversion of a large number of Hindus to Islam. Donan Faqir was another important mystic of the area.

 

HISTORICAL PERSONALITIES

 

MAKHDOOM RAJAN SHAH:

          The founder of Rajan pur Makhdoom sheikh Syed Rajan Shah was resident of a town Sait pur situated in district Muzafargarh. He was son of Sheikh Syed Hassan Bukhari and born in 1695. His father was a spiritual figure and was also  known as Sheikh Mahmood. In the spiritual terms he was also called Sheikh “Rajan Buland.” This state of Sait pur was extended from Ouch Sharif to Kashmore. In those days Saitpur state was under occupation of Nahar Lodhi family since 1455. At last Muhammad Khan divided the state into three parts. The state of Saitpur come under the control of Tahir Khan. He made father of Rajan Shah the Ameer of Saitpur state and them self went to a town Near Jampur .Makhdoom Rajan Shah became the Ameer of the State after the death of his father. In 1730 Makhdoom Rajan Shah occupied the areas of Ali Pur, Kotla Mughlan, Kotmithan, Bhagsar and Omer kot and included in this state. In 1732 he laid foundation of Rajanpur .  After the Permission from the ruler of Kharasan, he dig up the canals and nalas for the progress of this regoon. These include Nala Dundi, Nala Kutub Nala Baheshti, NalaPahar, Nala Mubarak, Nala Hazoori, Nala Hamid and Rasulwah. Many towns came into existence on the canks of these Canals and Nalas. These included kotla Jinda, Shahpur, Ghouspur, Kotla Gamon, Kotla Ahmad, Muhammad pur, Basti Lashari. Kotla Nur Muhammad, Kotla Syed Khan Basti Phalli, Bhag Murghai, Kotla Hassan Shah, and Kotla Ghulam Murtaza etc. Makhdoom Rajan Shah was a great and visionary leader and left on indelible impact. He died in 1781 at the age of 86 years. He is buried in a tomb in tour of Bukhara Sharif of Tehsil Jampur.

QAIM KHAN DRESHAK:

He was pride of Rajanpur. And was epitome of generosity. He was born in 1894 in the Basti Sher Ali of Rajanpur. His father name was Bakhtiar Khan. He was very poor person and owned a very small land. He opened a small shop at the Indus High way which turned into an welfare centre for the people. It become famous as “Qaim Wali Hatti” where travelers were provided shelter to take rest. Rajanpur was Tehsil Headquarter at their time. The travelers were provided the food and water. All the services were provided by Qaim Khan Dreshak themselves. This activity continued from town to dust .All the expenses were born by the Qaim Khan Dreshak and his two younger brothers. Daim Khan and Karam Khan. He served and helped the people throw out his life. He left for eternal abode in 1971.

MIAN BARKAT ALI:

          There was a time when the king and his courtiers enjoyed all the powers. The weak were considered worthless by them. The spiritual personalities were a source of consolation at that time. Khawaja Ghulam Fareed was one of the spiritual persons of this area. Mian Bakht Ali was a prominent musician and a favourite of Khwaja Ghulam Fareed.

          Mian Bakht Ali was born in 1951. His father’s name was Mian Nabi Bakhsh and he belonged to a Chohan Rajpoot Family. His native town was Kapoor Thala. He was found of Music and was gifted with a miraculously sweet voice. He belonged to Patiyala Family with regard to Music. 

          He was a close companion of Khawaja Ghulam Fareed. He was an expert in Musical Instruments especially in Sitar. He used to sing the Khawaja Ghulam Fareed’s Qaffies with verve and perfection. He was one of the Musicians who were given the high place in the courtyard. His grandson, Imdad Ali, was a renowned poet. One of his grandson Ghulam Muhammad ud Din, alias Gami, is considered among the national artists. His nephew Mian Ali Bakhsh is living in Kot Mithan and is associated with the profession of Music. The famous Qawal Mian Akram Fareed, Aslam Fareed and Akram Fareed also belong to his family. Mian Barkat Ali also wrote poetry in Urdu, Persian and Saraiki. But his work cannot be preserved. 

          Mian Barkat Ali died at the age of 61 on 10th November 1992. He is buried in the area of Fareed town. His sitar is also buried with him according to his will. 

DR. MUHAMMAD ABDULLAH KHAN:

          Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Khan Son of Khamisa Khan was born in August 1921 in Jampur. He was Hote Balouch. His mother’s name was Hayat Bibi. His father’s died in his early childhood. But he did not lose his heart and continued his Education. He matriculated from Govt. High School Jampur with good marks. He did his MSc in Chemistry in 1947 and was awarded Gold Medal. He was appointed a lecturer in Chemistry at Govt. College Layal Pur (Faisalabad). In 1949 he became lecturer at University of Punjab and went to England for Higher Education. He got his PhD from Cambridge University. He was appointed Professor of Chemistry at University of Peshawar after his return from England. In 1972, he was invited to give suggestions for the International Noble Prizes.

          He became the Chairman of Scientific and Industrial Council for research after his arrival in Pakistan in 1976. After his retirement from Qaid-e-Azam University in 2nd August 1981, he went to Libya. He taught as a Chemist at the famous Al-Fateh University till August 1984 and this shining star of Jampur died in Denmark in 5th July 1985.

          People like Dr. Muhammad Abdullah Khan are not only a pride for their area but also for the whole humanity. His achievements in the field of Science will be remembered for ever. His educational capabilities and efforts are exemplary for the youth and the Students of the District Rajanpur. The park, situated in front of Danish School was named after him.

 

PARLIAMENTARIANS

 

MEER BALAKH SHER MAZARI:

          He was born 8 July 1928. He is the tumandar (or chieftain) and the paramount Sardar of the Mazari tribe which is situated on the tristate area between BalochistanSindh and Punjab provinces of Pakistan.

          As the chieftain of his tribe, he holds the title of "Mir". He is 22nd  Sardar and the seventh Mir of the Mazaris. His grandson Mir Dost Mohammad Mazari is currently Deputy Speaker of Punjab Assembly. 

          Meer Balakh Sher Mazari served as the 14th Prime Minister of Pakistan in an acting capacity after the Nawaz government was overthrown by president Ghulam Ishaq Khan. Mazari's tenure as caretaker prime minister ended abruptly on 26 May 1993 when the Supreme Court revoked the presidential order and reinstated Nawaz Sharif as the prime minister. He died in 2022.

 

SHERBAZ KHAN MAZARI:

 

 

SARDAR SHOUKAT HUSSAIN MAZARI:

          Sardar Shaukat Hussain Mazari son of Sardar Muhammad Hussain Mazari was born on 10th February 1948 at Rojhan, District Rajanpur. He graduated in 1967 from Government College, Lahore. He served as Member District Council, D.G. Khan during 1979 and Rajanpur during 1982. He represented Pakistan twice in the United Nations General Assembly as a delegate in 1974 and 1995 and also represented Pakistan in an International Conference held at Basil, Switzerland in 1988-89. He has extensively travelled abroad including U.K., France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, USA, Canada, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. Having been elected for the third term as Member Provincial Assembly of the Punjab in General Elections 2002, he has been elected Deputy Speaker, Provincial Assembly of the Punjab on November 27, 2002.

DOST MUHAMMAD MAZARI:

          He is a Pakistani politician who is the current Deputy Speaker of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab, in office since August 2018. He has been a member of the Provincial Assembly of Punjab since August 2018. Previously, he was a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan from 2008 to 2013. He was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan from Constituency NA-175 (Rajanpur-II) as a candidate of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) in 2008 Pakistani general election. He defeated Sardar Nasrullah Khan Dreshak.

He ran for the seat of the National Assembly from Constituency NA-175 (Rajanpur-II) as an independent candidate in 2013 Pakistani general election but was unsuccessful. He received 73,885 votes and lost the seat to Hafeez Ur Rehman.

He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from Constituency PP-297 (Rajanpur-V) in 2018 Pakistani general election. Following his successful election, PTI named him for the office of Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly. On 16 August 2018, he was elected as Deputy Speaker of the Punjab Assembly.

 

SHIREEN MAZARI:

          She is a Pakistani politician who is the current Federal Minister for Human Rights, in office since 20 August 2018. She is the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Appointment of Chief Election Commissioner and Members of the Election Commission of Pakistan. She has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since August 2018, and serves as a chief whip for Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. Previously, she was a member of the National Assembly from June 2013 to May 2018.

Mazari studied at the London School of Economics and later received her PhD from Columbia University in political science. Mazari joined Quaid-i-Azam University as an associate professor and went on to head the university's strategic studies department. In 2002, Mazari became the head of the government-funded Institute of Strategic Studies and remained until she was sacked in 2008. In 2009, Mazari became the editor of The Nation.

Mazari joined the PTI in 2008.  In 2009, she was Information Secretary and Spokesperson of PTI. In 2012, she resigned from PTI where she was the Central Vice President and in charge of Foreign Policy. She rejoined PTI in 2013. She was elected as the member of the National Assembly of Pakistan for the first time in 2013 Pakistani general election on the ticket of PTI on reserved seats for women from Punjab. She was the chief whip of PTI in the National Assembly of Pakistan. She was re-elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PTI on a seat reserved for women from Punjab in the 2018 Pakistani general election. On 18 August, Imran Khan formally announced his federal cabinet structure and Mazari was named as Minister for Human Rights. On 20 August 2018, she was sworn in as Federal Minister for Human Rights in the federal cabinet of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

 

NASRULLA KHAN DRESHAK:

          He was born on 28 June 1942 in Rajanpur District. He is a Pakistani politician who has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan since August 2018. Previously, he was a member of the National Assembly from 1997 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2007 and a Member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, between 1977 and May 2018.

He graduated from Government College, Lahore in 1962. He has a degree of Bachelor of Laws which he obtained in 1964 from Punjab University Law College and a degree of Master of Arts which he received in 1966 from University of the Punjab.

He was elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from Constituency NA-194 (Rajanpur-II) in 2018 Pakistani general election.

SARDAR MUHAMMAD AWAIS DRESHAK:

 

SARDAR FAROOQ AMAN ULLAH KHAN DRESHAK:

 

SARDAR HASNAIN BAHADAR DRESHAK:

He was born on 29 June 1974 to Sardar Nasrullah Khan Dreshak in Lahore, Pakistan. He received degree of Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electronics) in 1996 from the College of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering.

He is a Pakistani politician who is the current Provincial Minister of Punjab for Livestock and Dairy Development, in office since 6 September 2018. He has been a member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab since August 2018. He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) from Constituency PP-294 (Rajanpur-II) in 2018 Pakistani general election.

On 27 August 2018, he was inducted into the provincial Punjab cabinet of Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar without any ministerial portfolio. On 6 September 2018, he was appointed as Provincial Minister of Punjab for livestock and dairy development.

SARDAR ALI RAZA KHAN DRESHAK:

He was born on 9 October 1977 in Lahore to Sardar Nasrullah Khan Dreshak. He has a degree of Bachelor of Science where he obtained in 1998 from Government College, Lahore, a degree of Bachelor of Laws (Hons) where he received in 2000 from University of London. He did Bar-at-Law from the Lincoln's Inn in 2004. He is a Pakistani politician who was a Member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab, from May 2013 to May 2018.

He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a Candidate of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf from Constituency PP-247 (Rajanpur-I) in 2013 Pakistan general election.

SARDAR SHER ALI KHAN GORCHANI:

He was born on 17 May 1980 in Dera Ghazi Khan. He completed his graduation in 2006 from Multan and has a degree of Bachelor of Arts. He is a Pakistani politician who served as Deputy Speaker of Provincial Assembly of the Punjab from June 2013 to May 2018. He was a Member of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab from 2008 to May 2018.

He was elected to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab as a candidate of PML-N from Constituency PP-248 (Rajanpur-II) in 2013 Pakistani general election. In June 2013, he was elected as deputy speaker of the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab.

JAFFAR KHAN LEGHARI:

He was born on 23 June 1942. He is a Pakistani politician who has been a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, since August 2018. Previously, he was a member of the National Assembly from 2002 to May 2018. He was elected to the National Assembly of Pakistan as a candidate of National Alliance from Constituency NA-174 (Rajanpur-I) in 2002 Pakistani general election. In May 2018, he quit PML-N and joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). He was elected to the National Assembly as a candidate of PTI from Constituency NA-193 (Rajanpur-I) in 2018 Pakistani general election. He died in 2023.

MUHAMMAD MOHSIN KHAN LEGHARI:

He was born on 9th June 1963 in Dera Ghazi Khan. After his early education from Aitcheson College, he attended University of Oklahoma, he got Certification in Global Financial Markets from FINSIA, he also has a Post graduate Diploma in Applied Economics from the University of the Punjab. He is an alumnus of National Defence University, Pakistan and International Academy for Leadership (IAF) of Friedrich Naumann Foundation, in Gummers Bach (Germany).

He is a Pakistani politician who is the current Provincial Minister of Punjab for Irrigation, in office since 27 August 2018. He had been a member of the 14th Provincial Assembly of Punjab from 2003 to 2007 and the 15th Provincial Assembly of Punjab from 2008 to 2012. He has been elected for the 3rd tenure to the Provincial Assembly of the Punjab. He has also represented Punjab in the Senate of Pakistan from March 2012 to March 2018.

On 27 August 2018, he was inducted into the provincial Punjab cabinet of Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and was appointed as Minister for Irrigation.

 

LITERARY PERSONALITIES

 

MUHAMMAD ISMAIL AHMADANI:

He was born near Rasoolpur in the year 1930. He started his education in 1935 at village Rasoolpur. He got his further education from Jampur. Later on he did graduation from Government College Dera Ghazi Khan. His writings appeared in public in 1956.

He started his career as a teacher. He got his LL.B degree from Sindh. He practiced as an Advocate in Sanghar Sindh. During all this period he continued with his literary interests. His writings were available in English, Urdu, Sindhi and specially in Saraiki. He wrote poetry and prose. Later on he put all his energy for writing only Saraiki prose. His famous books in Saraiki are, “Peet de Pandh, Chollian and Ammar Kahani”. His autobiography, Yadeen da Khawab Mahal was published after his death by his family. All his books got presidential award.

He spent later years of his life in Rasoolpur and then in Karachi where his sons were in jobs. He died on 6th June 2007 and was buried in Rasoolpur.

ASHIQ BUZDAR:

He was born on August 1947 in Mehry Wala, Tehsil & District Rajanpur. He belongs to Buzdar Family. He started his political career with Pakistan People’s Party. He is a columnist and he put all his energy for writing Saraiki poetry. His famous books in Saraiki are, “Qaidi Takht Lahore De, 4th April, Jain Phul Chate” and his biography, “Jewan Jiven Guzria”. He was awarded the first Saraiki Literary Award and presidential award.

ASLAM RASOOLPURI:

Aslam Rasoolpuri was born in Rasoolpur in an educated family on 1st October, 1942. His father’s name was Abdul Hakeem. He got his early education from a primary school in Rasoolpur. He completed his Matriculation from a High School in Jampur. After this he received his J.V certificate from Normal School Muzafargarh and stared working as a teacher in 1962. During this he also completed M.A (Urdu) in 1971. Both his maternal grandfather Muhammad Musa Khan and his maternal uncle Muhammad Ismail were authors. In 1987 Aslam Rasoolpuri resigned from his job and started working as a Lawyer. He actively participated in human rights activities and Saraiki Nationalistic Politic. He became the District Coordinator of Asma Jahagir’s human rights commission of Pakistan of Rajanpur District. He played an active role against honour killing (Karo Kari) and violation of children and women’s rights. He left the National Awami Party and laid the foundation of Pakistan Saraiki Party along with Barrister Taj Muhammad Langah and later he became its General Secretary and Senior vice President. In 1975, he became the youngest member of Saraiki Script (Rasmul-Khat) Committee. He has been working in the field of literature and criticism. He has been working on ancient relics under the guidance of Ibn-e-Hanif. His work in Urdu and Saraiki has been published. His books are as under;

  1. Talawarry
  2. Natary
  3. Laikhy
  4. Sariaki Adab Wich Mani Da Pandh
  5. Saraiki Qaida
  6. Saraiki Rasm-ul-Khat ki Mukhtasar Tarikh
  7. Saraiki Zaban Unda Rasm-ul-Khat Atey Awazan
  8. Lisani Mazameen
  9. Saraiki Zaban Te Lasaniyat
  10. Sachal Sarmast Da Muntakhib Saraiki Kalam
  11. Baidal Saraiki
  12. Hamal Laghari
  13. Saza-e-Mout Kun
  14. Saraiki Zaban k Bary main Sawal-o-Jawab
  15. Saraiki Diyan Puchkar Awazan
  16. Saraiki Tankeed te Ma Bad No Abadiyati Nazriya
  17. Saraiki Look Mosiki

 

He was born in Rasoolpur after his early education he started his career as a Teacher. Later he qualified LL.B and started practice as an advocate in Jampur bar. He started writing Saraiki language and become a research scholar. His looks have been included in M.A Saraiki syllabus in many universities. He has superseded many of his fellow writers of Saraiki language. He has covered many fields of human activities and arts. He is equally a good critic besides being a research scholar. He is a Saraiki nationalist regarding the area and the language. He has written more than twenty books. He has never tried to write in English, Urdu or any other language. Saraiki is his aspiration and he is serving his dream quite successfully. He lives in Rasoolpur near Jampur.

KAIFI JAMPURI:

He was born in Jampur on April 1, 1905. He received his early education in the Madrasa of Mohalla. He also studied in Kotla Mughal for some time. Later he joined the Education Department. After passing JV and SV examinations, he became a practical Madrasa. Started life and progressed to the position of Headmaster. Served in various Government Middle Schools in Shiro-Kot Chhatta and Dera Ghazi Khan. Your nature was inclined towards poetry and literature from the very beginning. In front of the seeker, he knelt down and as soon as he saw it, he became one of the leading poets of Urdu-Persian and Seraiki and the magazines of that time were honored to publish his speech in their magazines, his book "Seraiki Poetry". The position and status in Seraiki language and literature is unmatched by any other book. Your book is included in the curriculum of universities across the country, you have translated the coffees of Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid from Bazm Culture Multan "Kalam" Your translation is also a special thing, your word "Kaliyat Kefi Jampuri" Bahauddin Zakaria Uni. University of Multan has recently published. In addition, your unpublished works are awaiting publication. Khursheed Ahmed MA and Dr. Mukhtar Zafar PhD from Bahauddin Zakaria University and Abdul Sattar Talpur on your personality and art. Allama Iqbal has written M.Phil dissertations from Open University, a literary organization "Bazm Kefi Jampuri" is established in Jampur in your name and the area of ​​your birth is named as "Mohalla Kefi Jampuri". He lived in Multan for the rest of his life after retirement. Here he continued to teach at Tadam Hayat Islamia High School. He met Khaliq Haqiqi on October 6, 1972 and is buried in Multan.

DR. SHAKEEL PITAFI:

Dr. Shakeel Pitafi was born in 9 December, 1961 in town Kot Mithan District Rajanpur. After Passing Intermediate Examination, because of financial problem, he had to join border Military Police as Sawar (Soldier) in BS-2. Meanwhile he continued his studies and after passing B.A and B.ED Examination, was appointed as school teacher in BS-9. His study remained continue. He passed M.A Urdu Examination in first Division, then passed M.A Political Science Examination. In 1989, he was selected as lecturer. In 1996, he did M.Phil in Urdu literature. In 1998 was selected as Assistant Professor in BS-18. In 2007, he did Ph.D in Urdu. In 2011 he was selected as Associate Professor in BS-19. He was promoted Professor of Urdu (BS-20) in 2020.

The life of Dr. Shakeel Pitafi is characterized by epic struggle. Triumphing over the concrete hurdles posed by a poor and rural background, he inspired others to follow in his footsteps thus paving way for the students of the poor and neglected areas to win honours and distinctions.

Publications:

                    “Books”

  1. “Pechlay Pehar ki Dastak”                                              (Urdu Poetry-1984)
  2. “Akh be Khawab Azab”                                                   (Saraiki Poetry-1997)
  3. “Shekaste Sham Se Phlay”                                            (Urdu Poetry-2007)
  4. “Naey Imkanat”                                                      (Research & Critical Articles-2008)
  5. “Janubi Punjab Main Urdu Shari”                                  (Research-2008)
  6. “Saraiki Adbi Makalat”                                           (Research & Critical Articles-2008)
  7. “Kalam Be Kas”                                                             (Compel-2010)
  8. “Prinday Khud Kalami Kar Rahay Hein”                        ( Urdu Poems-2010)
  9. “Pakistan Mein Ghalib Shanasi”                            (Research & Critical Articles-2014)
  10. “Tehzeebi Khadokhal”                                           (Research & Critical Articles-2015)
  11. “Urdu Adb Aur Magrabi Rujhanaat”                      (Research & Critical Articles-2016)
  12. “Hanjh Da Faiz”                                                            (Compel-2018)
  13. “Aqs-e-Ghalib                                                        (Research & Critical Articles-2021)

 

Besides these books, he wrote dozen of articles and research papers which have been published in distinguished literary Journals of Pakistan.

Literary Services and Significant Administrative qualities of Dr. Shakeel Pitafi are as under:

  • Under his inspired guidance, supervision and patronage, virtually hundreds of the students of the area obtained their Masters in Urdu Literature, dozens of students completed their M. Phil in Urdu and many are pursuing their Ph.D in various distinguished Universities of the Country.
  • His eight invaluable books on literary criticism and research have won the status of reference books at different Universities and are providing guidance to students and teachers alike in the field of literary criticism.
  • Dr. Shakeel Pitafi has also endeavored to revive the poetry of the classic poets who had been neglected by the critics or whose literary worth could not be recognized by the world at large for reasons unknown. This he has done by collecting and compiling the beautiful poetry of Be-Kas, a neglected classic under the title “Kalam-e-Be-Kas” and the poetry of Nazeer Faiz with the name of “Hajh Da Faiz”.
  • Under supervision of Dr. Shakeel Pitafi, Thesis at M.A, M. Phil and Ph.D level have been written in different Universities.
  • Apart from precious books on poetry and research, Dr. Shakeel Pitafi is also a permanent columnist. He has been writing columns in distinguished Urdu papers / Journals for the last 15 Years. His columns cover regional history and problems.
  • He worked as Deputy Director Colleges, Rajanpur for the three years. During this period, he appointed clerks and Lecture Assistants in 2009 purely on merit. Because of this 40 unemployed young man were able to get jobs. Besides this, he prepared feasibility of four new Colleges at Kot Mithan and Dajal and Govt. of the Punjab got these Colleges notified.
  • Dr. Shakeel Pitafi has been working as Principal at Govt. Postgraduate College, Rajanpur. In this College, he performed the following development activities.

 

  1. Got the College upgraded from Degree to Post Graduate Level and started M.A Classes in three disciplines.
  2. Enrolment of College students increased from 378 to 2500.
  3. Started BS-Classes in seven disciplines.
  4. Under plantation Campaign, five thousand trees were planted including 250 fruity plants.
  5. A flower show is held every year at the College with 6000 flower Pots. It attracts students of schools and Colleges of far flung areas of the District.
  6. Every year, the students of Govt. Post Graduate College Rajanpur get positions at Division and Punjab level in the Chief Minister literary contests of Essay Writing, Debates etc.
  7. Dr. Shakeel Pitafi get the College magazine published regularly which enhances the literary qualities of the students.

In short:   Dr. Shakeel Pitafi has devoted his life for the upgradation of knowledge and literature in the far flung area of Rajanpur. So, the literacy rate of Rajanpur has increased much. Starting career from Grade 02 and reaching Grade 20, this fellow is a torch bearer for thousands of people of Rajanpur.

OTHER NOTABLES OF THE DISTRICT:

          The detailed life sketch of the prominent personalities of the district among the late and the living is not readily available. It is therefore out of scope to write about them with reference to their achievements and attainments. The prominent figures which need particular mention include those who worked for Muslim League before petition, their names and achievements have already been narrated. There are no scientist educationist social Reformer writer and notable businessman who can be included in the narration of prominent personalities.