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Ashfaq Ahmed

ISHFAQ AHMAD was a legendary writer in the world of literature. He promoted ISLAM and spiritualism through pen. He was one of those people who knew the right direction of applying force. His plays, novels, stories and articles affected many people and made thousands of people realize the importance of religion. He started writing and broadcasting in subcontinent and was the major source of binding Muslims together and keep them united and motivated. Many famous and renowned writers were his rivals including Saadat Hasan Manto, Qurratulain Hyder, Prem Chand, Bedi, Mirza Adeeb, Ismat Chughtai and Krishan Chander.

He was born in ferozepur, India in 1925 where he completed his basic education. He selected Lahore to live ever after, and migrated to Pakistan before independence. He completed his masters in Urdu literature from government college Lahore and married one his classmates, BANO QUDSIA who helped and supported him throughout his career. She also wrote many novels and supported her husband.

He started his career from radio azad Kashmir. This radio was based on announcements that were made on a moving truck throughout Kashmir. He then took a next step by teaching at DAYAL SINGH COLLEGE Lahore. On the basis of his past radio experience, he was appointed as Urdu newscaster in radio Rome. During his stay in Europe, he earned diplomas in the Italian and French languages from the University of Rome and the University Grenoble, France. He also gained a training diploma in radio broadcasting from New York University.  After establishing a successful radio career, he started writing.

He had magical hands to write. He used to write stories in his childhood which were published in the “PHOOL” magazine. When he returned back from Europe, he launched his own magazine with the name “DASTAANGO” meaning story tell. He did not leave his radio career. He also joined radio Pakistan as a script writer. The Government of Pakistan appointed him editor of the popular Urdu weekly, Lail-o-Nahar ("Day and Night"), in place of poet Ghulam Mustafa Tabassum. His popularity started in 1962 when he started a radio program named as ‘TAQLEEN SHAH” meaning preacher. This made him voice heard in each and every part of the country and gathered a large number of fans. It was the longest weekly program on the radio in the entire sub continent and ran fir thirty years. 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 adviser in the Education Ministry during Zia-ul-Haq's regime.
His first film “DHOOP AUR SAYE” was not a box office hit; however he produced a number of TV serials later which were the biggest TV hits. He suffered from bladder cancer and fought against it for many years. This was the reason of his demise on 7 September 2004 at the age of 79. This nation will have to wait until the world ends for such a legend to born again.