Qudrat Ullah Shahab – a great man in the history of Pakistan

Some years back I had a road accident, in which my right leg was broken. I got operated and was advised for at least 3 week bed rest. One of my friends, Mr. Haider gave me a book ‘Shahab Nama’, written by Qudrat Ullah Shahab.

I did not know much about the author before reading the book, which actually is his autobiography. He had been serving as Secretary to the President of Pakistan. In the book he wrote down about his experiences with President Ghulam Muhammad, President Gen. Iskandar Mirza and President Gen. Ayub Khan. I was highly impressed by his way of writing, wisdon and above all very strong memory.

After my recovery, I got a job in Dubai and here I got a book ‘Alakh Nagri’, written by Mumraz Mufti. It is the second part of Mufti’s autobiography. In this book he says that his centre of vision was Qudrat Ullah Shahab. He wrote down wonderful things about Shahab, which Shahab did not mention in ‘Shahab Nama’. Shahab was a man of Allah. Great Islamic sanits (both dead and alive) carried a lot of respect for him and guided him. I cannot find proper words to express his graet status. However, I can say that he is one of my ideals now. He suffered a lot after his retirement due to confiscation of his pension money by Gen. Yahya Khan, that time President of Pakistan. He did so because Shahab refused to work under him. His wife, Dr. Iffat died due to poverty as she could not get proper diagnosis and treatment of her disease. May Allah bless both Mr. & Mrs. Qudrat Ullah Shahab in peace. Amin!