PESHAWAR: The Pashto Adabi Board brought out a special issue of its quarterly journal titled ‘Tatara’ featuring various aspects of the life and contributions of former bureaucrat Mohammad Azam Khan, who served as the interim chief minister, which proved the last assignment of his eventful life.

About 16 noted Pashto writers and intellectuals have written on the life and selfless services of Azam Khan for the Pashto language and literature, which showed his love for his mother tongue and his people.

Mohammad Azam Khan (1936-23) served on several bureaucratic positions and also remained mentor of several literary, cultural and charity organisations.

Prof Nasrullah Jan Wazir, former director of Pashto academy, University of Peshawar, in his paper depicts Azam Khan as being a multidimensional personality, who contributed to Pashto language as he wanted KP people to be peace-loving, hospitable and honest.

“During his service, Pashto was made medium of instruction till 5th grade, which was a great milestone. Second was the project of Pashto dictionary and the third was translation project from world languages. His love for poets and writers was genuine,” Prof Nasrullah said.

Sikandar Khan, son of the late bureaucrat and director of Pashto Adabi Board, in his foreword pens down Mohammad Azam Khan as being a gem of men as he was a good friend, well-mannered and down-to-earth, a fountain of inspiration.

Noted scholar Saidul Amin Ahsan in his brief note writes: “Azam Khan had proved his mettle in every capacity he held in his lifetime, and always served and dedicated his services for the cause of masses. Never in his life had he exhibited his pride of bureaucratic stunt.”

“Azam Khan being an academy in his own right was a visionary, well-articulated personality, who had prepared a team of scholars and writers to work for promotion of Pashto language and literature. His interaction with poets and writers remained productive and everlasting. The establishment of Pashto Adabi Board was one of his numerous contributions,” says Mr Ahsan.

Mazhar Ali Momand, another writer, says: “Among several achievements of Azam Khan was Dost Welfare Foundation, an organisation dedicated to eradication of drugs.

The special edition of the Pashto quarterly journal unfolds many hidden aspects of late Azam Khan’s life.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2024