Imran series characters
The Imran Series is an Urdu spy novel series created by famous Pakistani writer Ibn-e-Safi. Ali Imran is the pivotal character, a comical secret agent who controls the Secret Service as X-2 but appears to work as just another member of the Secret Service. Except for a handful of people, no one knows his status as the chief of the Service.
The first book, Khaufnaak Imaarat, was published in October 1955. In early books Imran appears as a solo detective, but from the ninth book, Dhuaen ki Tehreer, he is portrayed as the chief of Secret Service as X-2.
Humour is the essence of Ibn-e-Safi books. Ibn-e-Safi wrote a total of 121 Imran Series books.
Characters of Imran Series
, Safdar Saeed, Black Zero, Juliana Fitzwater, Amma Bi, Surayya, Fazal Rahman, Sir Sultan, Roshee, Joseph Mugonda, Sulaiman, Captain Fayyaz, Zafar-ul-Mulk, Jameson, Tanveer Ashraf, Captain Jaafari, Captain Khawar, Lieutenant Siddique, Lieutenant Chauhan, Sergeant Nomani, Doctor Dawar, Shakeel, SualehaMany writers have written on the famous characters of Ibn-e-Safi and have included their own characters in Imran Series and Jasoosi Dunya.
Secret Service Members
Original author Ibn-e-Safi used the Secret Service as a central focus of the Imran Series. Later authors, continuing the series, added new members of the Secret Service. Real-world locations are not used in the series, instead fictional countries and place names are used.Ali Imran
Ali Imran is a pivotal character and gives the series its name. He is handsome and bright, holding M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees from Oxford University, and has extraordinary sex appeal. He camouflages himself as a buffoon and never reveals his true nature. He often dresses eccentrically: his typical outfit is a pink coat, a light green shirt, a yellow necktie, white pants, and a purple flat hat with a red rose in it. Ibn-e-Safi refers to this as Imran's “Technicolor Outfit.”Imran is the son of Karam Rehman, Director General of the Central Intelligence Bureau. He claims descent from Genghis Khan, and has Mongol ancestry. Imran mother's real name is never revealed, she is referred to as Amma Bi. Imran lives in an apartment with his two most trusted assistants: Sulaiman, the cook, and [|Joseph Mugunda], his bodyguard from Africa. He usually drives a two-seater sports car.
Imran purposefully maintains multiple facets to his personality. As Ali Imran, he acts as an opportunist who may turn either a police informer or a blackmailer as the situation demands. He is also the chief of the Secret Services, called X-2. Only three other characters know his secret: Sir Sultan, Secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs; Black Zero, who acts as X-2 in Imran's absence; and Roshee, a long time friend and trusted partner. Imran also occasionally assumes the personae of the Prince of Dhump, a warlord of a fictitious state known as Dhump, and of Rana Tahavvar Al Sandooqui, a wealthy landlord and businessman, and Saff e Shikan, a hero to the people of Shikral.
Early in the series Imran is portrayed as a hired agent of the Secret Service. Later he becomes a regular member of the agency. The other agents are not aware that he is their chief officer. As Imran, they laugh and sneer at him, but as X-2 they dread him.
Imran learned the art of dodging bullets, called "Sing Art," from an international Chinese criminal, Sing Hee. Imran calls him Uncle Sing and, in return, Sing Hee refers him as nephew. An old time foe who becomes enamored of him is Theresia Bumblebee of Bohemia, T3B. Imran shows no interest in women, stating that women are not for him. He believes no woman would stay by his side as per his job.
Tahir or Black Zero
Tahir is portrayed as perhaps the most important member of the secret service. He knows that Imran is X-2 and plays the role of X-2 in Imran's absence.In Darindon Ki Basti Imran realizes that his coworkers, mainly Juliana Fitzwater, are beginning to suspect that he is X-2. To permanently remove their suspicions, he decides to induct another member, codenamed "Black Zero" into the Secret Service. However, the original Black Zero is killed. Imran therefore appoints Tahir to the job and assigns him the Black Zero codename. The members of the secret service know him only as Mr. Tahir, the caretaker of Rana Palace.
Black Zero is Imran's favorite subordinate, but none of the members of Secret Service know about his true identity. He can replicate X-2's deep, hoarse voice to give orders to Secret Service agents when Imran is not available.
Juliana Fitzwater (Julia)
Juliana Fitzwater is the second in command, or deputy chief, of the Secret Service. She is a beautiful Swiss girl. Before Imran had joined the Secret Service in his Ali Imran persona, Julia was both fascinated by and afraid of her Chief, X-2. However, when Imran joins the Secret Service, Julia becomes attracted to him instead. Julia becomes suspicious that Imran is X-2, and confronts him; Imran is shocked but manages to cover his identity with the help of Black Zero.Safdar Saeed
Safdar is Imran's most active and most trusted field partner. Safdar never questions Imran's authority: he is a man of action not words.Safdar is the only field agent, apart from Imran, who is not attracted by Julia. He is also the only Secret Service agent who is fluent in Shikrali. Safdar Saeed is the most prominent, respectful, and loyal agent after Tahir, and Imran relies heavily on him. Safdar respects Imran greatly.
Tanveer Ashraf
Tanveer loves Julia, but Julia loves Imran. Tanveer is the only member of the Secret Service who is jealous of Imran. His jealousy towards Imran often gets in the way of his duty.Tanveer's primary weakness is that he lacks patience and is very emotional. He is the most trouble-making member of the Secret Service. He has, on many occasions, received either warnings or punishment from X-2 for his negligence of duty.
Despite his jealousy of Imran, on he has on many occasions proven his worth. Before he joined the Secret Service he was in military intelligence, and is fond of direct action.
In the book Farishtay ka Dushman, he faces a motorbike accident in the line of duty and is left permanently unable to carry on with field work. He is transferred to another department and is replaced in the Secret Service by Sergeant Nemo.
Zafar-ul-Mulk and Jameson (Jumman Bafati)
Zafar-ul-Mulk and Jumman Bafati were introduced in Taboot Mein Cheekh. Zafar-ul-Mulk is the nephew of Nawab Muzaffarul Mulk. He was sent to London for his education with his servant Jumman Bafati, earning a master's degree in chemistry from Oxford University. During this period Bafati is renamed Jameson. On his return, his uncle becomes annoyed with his modern ideas and asks him, and Jameson, to leave home. By chance they become involved in a case and Imran discovers their strengths. They are invited to join the Secret Service. Zafar-ul-Mulk has similar physical characteristics to Imran, and Imran sometimes disguises Zafar-ul-Mulk as himself.Captain Khawar
An active member of the group four stars and also works for the secret service.Lieutenant Siddique
An active member of the group four stars and also works for the secret service.Lieutenant Chohan
An active member of the group four stars and also works for the secret service.Sergeant Nomani
An active member of the group four stars and also works for the secret service.Captain Jaafri and Sergeant Nashad
Captain Jaafari and Sargeant Nashad are incompetent Secret Service agents. They were expelled from the Service due to negligence on duty in "Darindon ki Basti", Alphonse.Other main characters
Karam Rahman (Rehman Sahib)
Karam Rahman is the father of Ali Imran who is Director-General of the Central Intelligence Bureau. He is a very strict person both at home and in the office.Amma Bi
Imran's mother, Amma Bi, is an eastern style housewife. She is a casualty of the severe idea of her better half, Rahman Sahib. She doesn't need Imran to go out, yet is powerless to do anything as a result of her better half. At whatever point Imran visits her, she beats him with her shoes.Suraiya
Imran's younger sister Surya is blessed with the strict nature of her father. She is also fed up with Imran's unserious behavior and lets no opportunity slide to show her anger towards her brother.Sir Sultan
Sir Sultan is the administrator of the Secret Service, and one of the few characters who can identify Imran as X-2. Imran reports directly to him. He is both irritated at times by Imran's behavior and appreciative of his talents. He has even wished that Imran had been his son. He is an old friend of Imran's father.Sir Sultan is the Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs. In the novel Raat Ka Shehzaada, Imran helps Sir Sultan by solving a case; in return he is offered a permanent position in the Secret Service.
Roshee
Roshee is an Anglo-Burmese girl who was saved by Imran before he became X-2. Intelligent and confident, she has helped Imran in many cases. Imran trusts her, and she has known that he is X-2 since he took on this role.Roshee's father was a businessman in Singapore. During WWII, he lost his business and Roshee became a call girl. After meeting Imran in Bhayanak Aadmi, she becomes ashamed of her profession and Imran offers her a job in the Central Intelligence Bureau. Later, she and Imran open a private investigation agency, "Roshee & Co. Forwarding & Clearing Agents". She stops working for Imran in Larkiyoan Ka Jazeera, although Imran continues to involve her in cases.
Joseph Mugonda
Joseph Mugonda, an African black man, is Imran's personal bodyguard. He is tall, well-built, and an ex-heavyweight boxing champion. He prefers to dress in a military uniform with holsters on each side, carrying two identical loaded revolvers.In Challees Aik, Baavan, Imran defeats Joseph's boss during a case. Joseph's philosophy is that whoever can knock him out he will willingly serve for the rest of his life, and he begins to work for Imran. He is extremely loyal, sometimes referring to Imran as his father. He is a heavy drinker and highly superstitious but is nevertheless a very useful companion. His knowledge of jungles has proved useful on several occasions. He also serves as the Prince of Dhump's bodyguard when Imran assumes this role.