Col (r) Ikram Ullah Khan
Much has been written and posted on social media and online dailies during the past three days about Secretary Afzal Ali (late), a legendary figure of all times. But today, without indulging in repetition of what all has been written earlier, I would limit myself to add a few points which seem to have been skipped by other learned writers.
This is the portrayal of a man who was a rare species of exceptional religiosity. He never missed the midnight prayers (Tahajjud prayers). Even on the day of his departure for Eternity, he woke up during small hours i.e. at 2:45am as per routine and went to the worship place. He consumed his breakfast at 7:30am as he would routinely do and went to his sleeping room for rest but soon came out of his room to call the servant and tell him that he was not feeling well and asked him to call his cousin Mr Mumtaz Ali. Swiftly responding to his call, he came to him as Mumtaz says. He complained of a high-grade fever and told him that he needed to be taken care of as the final call had come and the time of his departure had approached.
According to Mumtaz Ali, after uttering these valedictory words, he told him to take him to his bed. After he was taken to bed he recited “Kalima Tayyeba” and breathed his last. This is the kind of death every believer would wish for. With his sad demise, a glorious chapter of the luminaries of Chitral has come to an end.
He was born in 1934 to the well-known family of Afzal Aman (late) who belonged to an influential Zondray tribe. His father remained a prominent religious leader of Ismaili community back in early 50s and earned the title of “president” for having remained the president of Ismaili Regional Council of Chitral for a long time. He was raised in an environment where people couldn’t think of sending their children to schools as there was no concept of formal education in Chitral because the state rulers were not favourably disposed towards opening schools and imparting education to the children of common public fearing that educated public might pose a challenge to their monarchic rule. On the contrary, the State rulers would send their own children to the best educational institutions in other cities within the country and abroad. This they deemed necessary to perpetuate their rule.
In such an inauspicious environment, common folk couldn’t think of imparting education to their children as it could earn the ire of the State rulers. But swimming against the tide, Afzal Ali and his cousin Sardar Ali made their way to Bombay in search of quality education. The duo travelled to Bombay and succeeded in getting admission in Saint Mary’s School Bombay, an English medium school meant for elite class. After completing SSC from Bombay, both the cousins returned to Chitral in 1951 and started teaching in the newly-established middle school Booni. After teaching for about nine years, his burning desire for higher education impelled him to pursue higher studies and he went to Karachi and got admission in Karachi university from where he did his masters in Persian. He returned to Chitral but instead of continuing with education department, he preferred to serve the community in an honorary capacity as president Ismaili Regional Council Upper Chitral which he did for consecutive four terms.
In late 60s, he made an entry into the political arena and fought elections in 1970 for provincial assembly duly backed by an informal political group/party called “Balai League” formed by the people of Upper Chitral and he was appointed as secretary of the semi-political party which earned him the title of “secretary”, thus becoming an integral part of his name. He contested the elections from the platform of Balai League as an independent candidate but lost it to the rival contester. Soon he realized that he was not born for politics and that politics was not his cup of tea. So he bid adieu to politics and decided to serve the people as a social worker and as a religious leader in an honorary capacity.
His monumental contribution in the field of education won’t be forgotten by the people of Upper Chitral. He gave his personal building to government college Booni gratuitous which continued to house the college till a dedicated building was raised by the government. Besides, the establishment of the famous Pamir Public School and College was his brainchild for which he donated his personal land. He remained Chairman of the Board of Governors of the school for a long time. This famous institution rightfully boasts of producing a plethora of engineers, doctors, army officers, civil officers and bankers, etc.
An extremely intelligent person with God-gifted ability to discern and inordinate capacity to fathom even the most intricate and perplexing issues. He made a rare combination of gentility, humility, civility, courtesy and politeness. Due to his respectful demeanour and extraordinary care for others, he was widely respected and loved by all and sundry.
A man with a remarkable memory which remained intact even during the twilight days of his life. He would narrate the events of antiquity with such precision and fidelity as if it happened yesterday. He led a highly rewarding and eventful life during his prime time which continued till last with the same vigour, zest and spirit. He was the preacher of peace, tranquility, brotherhood and mutual coexistence.
He was an upright, simple, straightforward and brutally honest man and never ever indulged in deceptive and crooked practices. Finding someone talking ill of others in their back, he would readily snub him and stop him from doing that. He had in him the best specimen of humanity.
A quiet, reticent, mild-mannered, unassuming, unpretentious and self-effacing person who disliked all kinds of show-off and preferred to remain silent and would speak only where necessary. An adorable name who positioned himself gracefully in the hearts of many.
A great man like him never dies; he only changes his abode. It makes me sad to suffix the clichéd term “late” with his name. May Allah (SWT) rest his soul with eternal peace and shower His infinite blessings on him. Ameen.