Ashfaq Ahmed


Ashfaq Ahmed 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 awards for his everlasting services in the field of broadcasting and literary heritage of Pakistan.

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

Career

Literature

As a boy he wrote stories, which were published in Phool, a magazine for children. After returning to Pakistan from Europe, he took out his own monthly literary magazine, Dastaango, and joined Radio Pakistan as a script writer. He was made editor of the popular Urdu weekly, Lail-o-Nahar, in place of famous poet Sufi Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum by the Government of Pakistan.
Ahmed wrote over thirty books. His short story, Gaddarya earned him early fame in 1955.
From his own resources, he created the Central Board for the Development of Urdu in Lahore.

Radio

In 1962, Ashfaq Ahmed started his radio program, Talqeen Shah 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, 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 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.

Selected media work

Radio plays

  • Talqeen Shah
  • ''Baithak''

Television shows

  • Uchhay Burj Lahore De /
  • Tali Thallay /
  • Tota Kahani /
  • Aik Mohabbat Sau Afsanay /
  • 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 English titleDescription
1961گڈریا The ShepherdA play about the struggles and innocence of a rural shepherd.
1962پہلی عورت The First WomanA radio play focusing on women's role in society.
1963تلخیاں BitternessCollection of early short stories exploring existential themes.
1971ایک محبت سو افسانے One Love, a Hundred TalesFamous collection of poignant short stories centered on love and human emotions.
1973کھلیاں The Ears of CornA short story collection reflecting rural life and social issues.
1974طوطا کہانی The Parrot’s TaleAllegorical stories with moral and philosophical undertones.
1974اوچّے برج لاہور دے The Lofty Towers of LahoreEssays celebrating Lahore’s history and culture.
1975من چلے کا سودا The Bargain of a Restless SoulA spiritual and philosophical play exploring Sufi themes.
1977آدھی بات Half the StoryA reflective play with philosophical undertones.
1978آؤ اردو سیکھیں Come, Let’s Learn UrduA practical guide to learning Urdu.
1983پنچایت The Village CouncilA play depicting rural justice and social dynamics.
1988سفر در سفر Journey Within JourneysA travelogue interwoven with spiritual reflections.
1990sبند گلی The Dead EndStories illustrating the dilemmas of modern life.
1994بڑا گاؤں The Big VillageEssays on society and human relationships.
1997مہمان سرائے The GuesthouseA collection of radio and TV reflections; metaphorical essays.
2001بابا صاحبا Respected ElderPhilosophical reflections on spiritual and worldly life, in epistolary form.
2001–2004زاویہ Vol. 1–3The PerspectiveA compilation of his TV talks and reflections on society, spirituality, and morality.
n.d.ودیاع جنگ Farewell to WarEssays and stories about the futility of war.
n.d.اور ڈرامے More PlaysA compilation of plays written for radio and stage.
n.d.پھولوں کا سفر Journey of FlowersReflections and allegories on spiritual awakening.
n.d.صبح ہونے تک Until Morning ComesShort stories about despair and hope.

Awards and recognition