In memory of Syed Maulai Din Shah
Col (r) Ikram Ullah Khan
Syed Maulai Din Shah, widely known as ‘President’ was born in 1940 to a well-known Syed family of Chuinj, a beautiful tiny hamlet nestled at the gateway of Yarkhun Valley. He was a man of sterling qualities. He lived a hyperactive and spirited life till last.
A man of aristocratic taste and exuberant talent who spent his entire life in the company of elite class but never forgot the pangs and miseries suffered by the common folk and fought for their rights leveraging his deep relations with the influential political entities. He was the most potent voice from Upper Chitral and fearlessly fought for the rights of the people of the area leading from the front.
Although, professionally he remained affiliated with the teaching department and retired as a teacher worth the name, but instinctively, he was disposed towards politics and couldn’t resist himself from doing informal politics even during his service as a teacher. It was perhaps this political instinct which spurred him on to lead the teaching community in the capacity of ‘President Chitral Teachers Association’, and did a lot for the welfare of the teaching fraternity.
Additionally, he remained President Ismaili Local Council Upper Chitral and served the community for a long time beyond the call of duty which was quite in keeping with his illustrious family tradition. As a religious leader, he always promoted inter-community harmony and fostered a spirit of religious tolerance and peaceful co-existence which helped maintain a calm and cordial relations between the two communities inhabiting Chitral.
After retirement from government service, he joined politics as he considered politics to be his cup of tea. He had his own way of doing politicking; and swimming against the tide, he preferred to go against the grain, thus making a huge departure from traditional politics practiced by other politicians of his time which wasn’t without perils. He joined Pakistan Muslim League to begin with, but later on, he switched over to other parties as situation dictated. He maintained his distinctive way of doing politics throughout his life which at times, proved to be quite intimidating for him. Nonetheless, he continued with it disregarding all kinds of opposition.
An extremely sociabl person who loved gregariousness and had instinctive ability to build friendship with both friends and foes alike. Due to his genial disposition and friendly demeanour, he was liked by all and sundry. He was expert in feeling public pulse and always acted with consummate skill and deftness to turn the swing of the pendulum in his favour.
May Allah (SWT), rest his soul in eternal peace.