Qazi Altaf Hussain
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Colonel
Qazi Altaf Hussain (1920–1999) was a Lt. Colonel of 11 Frontier Force Regiment and Commandant of Zhob Militia, Quetta. He served British Indian Army and Pakistan Army
with gallantry. He was famous for his bravery in Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
where he commanded his regiment. Before the creation of Pakistan, his British commanders predicted he would become a general, but because of his so hot-tempered attitude, out-spoken and blunt officer that he was forced to retire as Lieutenant Colonel.
Later on, the Martial law
Government
under President
General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq
also confiscated his Stud Farm and horses at Hazel Pur, Renala Khurd
, as he raised his voice against the injustice of Military Government and administration of Okara Military Farms against the small land owner and peasants.
’s family of Naushera
, Soon Valley
. He was the eldest son of Khan Sahib
Qazi Zafar Hussain
, and grand son of Qazi Mian Muhammad Amjad
He was a descendant of Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph of Islam from Al-Abbas ibn Ali. He was great great great grand son of Qazi Kalim Ullah, the famous Muslim qadi and jurist of Naushera in the time of Mughal Emperors. He belonged to Awan
tribe of ancient repute.
After passing his matriculation examination from Govt. High School Naushera, He studied at Government college, Lyallpur, Government College Lahore, and then Aligarh Muslim University
, from where he passed his graduation.
He had the honour to lead the cavalry in front of a political rally of Muslim League in which Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
was present. In 1943, when Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah came to Lyallpur and addressed a gathering of over 2 million in the Dhobi Ghat Ground, his father, Khan Sahib Qazi Zafar Hussain arranged a cavalry for the political rally and provided horses for the cavalry of Muslim students. His brother Qazi Fiaz Hussain had the honour to sit next to Quaid-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
as a 2nd Lieutenant. He also served under Sir Olaf Caroe
, and afterward he used to admire him for his efficient administration of North-West Frontier Province
, keeping in view the political crisis in his time of this province.
In 1947, after the creation of Pakistan
, he joined the Pakistani Army as the 873rd ranking senior officer (his Pakistan Army
number was 873). As an infantry officer from Frontier Force Regiment
, Qazi Altaf Hussain served Pakistan Army
in various positions. He served as a captain and major in Frontier Force Regiment
of Pakistan Army
, and was promoted as Lieutenant Colonel
. He also served in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
.
Militia (previously called Fort Sandeman), Quetta
. He was very famous among his soldiers. The Zhob Militia is one of the oldest forces of the sub-continent. It was established in 1890 as the Zhob
Levy Corps with Captain W.A.D. O' Mealy as its first Commandant. The Zhob
Militia had jurisdiction over the region which now includes the entire Zhob
division.. It has four wings: at Zhob
, Sambaza, Muslim Bagh and Qamardin Karaz.
Zhob city was previously called Fort Sandeman, named after Robert Groves Sandeman
, the first Agent to the Governor General of Balochistan (Pakistan)
. The name was changed on July 30, 1976 by the Prime Minister of Pakistan
of that time Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
. The hand-written remarks inserted by him into the visitors' book (preserved at the Zhob Militia Mess) on the occasion say, "Today we have taken a decision to eliminate last vestige of colonialism of this historical place by changing the name instead (to) Zhob of Sandeman, the British conqueror and oppressor of Pathan
and Baloch
people and country."
Pasha, and considered him the best historian of Islam in English language. He was also a fan of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
and Ghulam Ahmed Pervez
, and much to the horror of his religious family, tribe, and the people of his area, he used to follow and preach the religious views of these two scholars.
After his retirement, he continued to look after the land of his ancestors and a stud farm at Hazelpur, established by his father Khan Sahib Qazi Zafar Hussain. He died in 1999.
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Qazi Altaf Hussain (1920–1999) was a Lt. Colonel of 11 Frontier Force Regiment and Commandant of Zhob Militia, Quetta. He served British Indian Army and Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
with gallantry. He was famous for his bravery in Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
where he commanded his regiment. Before the creation of Pakistan, his British commanders predicted he would become a general, but because of his so hot-tempered attitude, out-spoken and blunt officer that he was forced to retire as Lieutenant Colonel.
Later on, the Martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
Government
Government of Pakistan
The Government of Pakistan is a federal parliamentary system, with an indirectly-elected President as the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Pakistani Armed Forces, and an indirectly-elected Prime Minister as the Head of Government. The President’s appointment and term are...
under President
President of Pakistan
The President of Pakistan is the head of state, as well as figurehead, of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. Recently passed an XVIII Amendment , Pakistan has a parliamentary democratic system of government. According to the Constitution, the President is chosen by the Electoral College to serve a...
General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq
Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq
General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq , was the 4th Chief Martial Law Administrator and the sixth President of Pakistan from July 1977 to his death in August 1988...
also confiscated his Stud Farm and horses at Hazel Pur, Renala Khurd
Renala Khurd
Renala Khurd is a growing city of Okara District in the north east of the Punjab province of Pakistan. The city is the headquarters of Renala Khurd Tehsil - an administrative subdivision of the district. Its approximate height above sea level is about...
, as he raised his voice against the injustice of Military Government and administration of Okara Military Farms against the small land owner and peasants.
Early life
He was born of famous qadiQadi
Qadi is a judge ruling in accordance with Islamic religious law appointed by the ruler of a Muslim country. Because Islam makes no distinction between religious and secular domains, qadis traditionally have jurisdiction over all legal matters involving Muslims...
’s family of Naushera
Naushera
Naushera, also Naoshera, Urdu نوشهره is a village and one of the 51 Union Councils of Khushab District in the Punjab Province of Pakistan.. Naushera is the main town of Soon Valley. Situated in the heart of Soon Valley, Naushera is surrounded by high hills, beautiful lakes, jungles, natural pools...
, Soon Valley
Soon Valley
The 'Soon Valley' The 'Soon Valley' The 'Soon Valley' (Urdu: The 'Soon Valley' ([[Urdu]]: The 'Soon Valley' ([[Urdu]]: [[وادئ سون)]] or Soon Sakesar is one of the famous valleys of [[Pakistan]] situated in the central [[Punjab (Pakistan)|Punjab]] province. The Valley is situated in the north west...
. He was the eldest son of Khan Sahib
Khan Sahib
Khan Sahib - a compound of khan and sahib - was a formal title of respect and honour, which was conferred exclusively on Muslim, Parsi and Jewish subjects of the British Indian Empire...
Qazi Zafar Hussain
Qazi Zafar Hussain
Khan Sahib, Qazi Zafar Hussain came from a qadi's family which had, since the 16th century, been prominent among the landed aristocracy of the Soon Valley. He belonged to Awans tribe of ancient repute. He was awarded the title of Khan Sahib by the British Crown. This was a formal title, a compound...
, and grand son of Qazi Mian Muhammad Amjad
Qazi Mian Muhammad Amjad
Qazi Mian Muhammad Amjad , was an eminent legal scholar of Qur'an, Hadith, and the Hanafi school of Islamic law . As a master of all the branches of contemporary knowledge of Islam, he was an acknowledged authority on Muslim jurisprudence...
He was a descendant of Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib, the fourth caliph of Islam from Al-Abbas ibn Ali. He was great great great grand son of Qazi Kalim Ullah, the famous Muslim qadi and jurist of Naushera in the time of Mughal Emperors. He belonged to Awan
Awan (Pakistan)
Awan , is a South Asian Zamindar tribe, putatively of Arab origin, living predominantly in northern, central, and western parts of Punjab, Pakistan...
tribe of ancient repute.
After passing his matriculation examination from Govt. High School Naushera, He studied at Government college, Lyallpur, Government College Lahore, and then Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University
Aligarh Muslim University ,is a residential academic university, established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as Mohammedan Angelo-Oriental College and later granted the status of Central University by an Act of the Indian Parliament in 1920...
, from where he passed his graduation.
He had the honour to lead the cavalry in front of a political rally of Muslim League in which Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah
Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a Muslim lawyer, politician, statesman and the founder of Pakistan. He is popularly and officially known in Pakistan as Quaid-e-Azam and Baba-e-Qaum ....
was present. In 1943, when Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah came to Lyallpur and addressed a gathering of over 2 million in the Dhobi Ghat Ground, his father, Khan Sahib Qazi Zafar Hussain arranged a cavalry for the political rally and provided horses for the cavalry of Muslim students. His brother Qazi Fiaz Hussain had the honour to sit next to Quaid-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah.
Army career
He was commissioned in the British Indian Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1945. Soon afterward he joined the 11 Frontier Force Regiment. He served in World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
as a 2nd Lieutenant. He also served under Sir Olaf Caroe
Olaf Caroe
Sir Olaf Kirkpatrick Kruuse Caroe KCSI KCIE was an administrator in British India. He later became a writer on the Middle East and Asia.-Life:...
, and afterward he used to admire him for his efficient administration of North-West Frontier Province
North-West Frontier Province
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa , formerly known as the North-West Frontier Province and various other names, is one of the four provinces of Pakistan, located in the north-west of the country...
, keeping in view the political crisis in his time of this province.
In 1947, after the creation of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, he joined the Pakistani Army as the 873rd ranking senior officer (his Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
number was 873). As an infantry officer from Frontier Force Regiment
Frontier Force Regiment
For Pakistan's Border Guard see: Frontier CorpsThe Frontier Force Regiment is one of six Infantry regiments in the Pakistan Army. At present, the regiment consists of 67 battalions and has its regimental depot at Abbottabad in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. For that reason Abbottabad is also known as Home of...
, Qazi Altaf Hussain served Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
in various positions. He served as a captain and major in Frontier Force Regiment
Frontier Force Regiment
For Pakistan's Border Guard see: Frontier CorpsThe Frontier Force Regiment is one of six Infantry regiments in the Pakistan Army. At present, the regiment consists of 67 battalions and has its regimental depot at Abbottabad in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. For that reason Abbottabad is also known as Home of...
of Pakistan Army
Pakistan Army
The Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
, and was promoted as Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
. He also served in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
Indo-Pakistani War of 1965
The Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 was a culmination of skirmishes that took place between April 1965 and September 1965 between Pakistan and India. This conflict became known as the Second Kashmir War fought by India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, the first having been fought in 1947...
.
Commandant, Zhob Militia
He was appointed as Commandant of ZhobZhob
-Roads:Zhob is 333 kilometers from Quetta, 225 kilometers from Dera Ismail Khan. However, the road linking with Dera Ismail Khan is for most part fair nowadays track passing through water streams and almost complete road is metalloid....
Militia (previously called Fort Sandeman), Quetta
Quetta
is the largest city and the provincial capital of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. Known as the "Fruit Garden of Pakistan" due to the diversity of its plant and animal wildlife, Quetta is home to the Hazarganji Chiltan National Park, which contains some of the rarest species of wildlife in the...
. He was very famous among his soldiers. The Zhob Militia is one of the oldest forces of the sub-continent. It was established in 1890 as the Zhob
Zhob
-Roads:Zhob is 333 kilometers from Quetta, 225 kilometers from Dera Ismail Khan. However, the road linking with Dera Ismail Khan is for most part fair nowadays track passing through water streams and almost complete road is metalloid....
Levy Corps with Captain W.A.D. O' Mealy as its first Commandant. The Zhob
Zhob
-Roads:Zhob is 333 kilometers from Quetta, 225 kilometers from Dera Ismail Khan. However, the road linking with Dera Ismail Khan is for most part fair nowadays track passing through water streams and almost complete road is metalloid....
Militia had jurisdiction over the region which now includes the entire Zhob
Zhob
-Roads:Zhob is 333 kilometers from Quetta, 225 kilometers from Dera Ismail Khan. However, the road linking with Dera Ismail Khan is for most part fair nowadays track passing through water streams and almost complete road is metalloid....
division.. It has four wings: at Zhob
Zhob
-Roads:Zhob is 333 kilometers from Quetta, 225 kilometers from Dera Ismail Khan. However, the road linking with Dera Ismail Khan is for most part fair nowadays track passing through water streams and almost complete road is metalloid....
, Sambaza, Muslim Bagh and Qamardin Karaz.
Zhob city was previously called Fort Sandeman, named after Robert Groves Sandeman
Robert Groves Sandeman
Sir Robert Groves Sandeman, KCSI , Colonial British Indian officer and administrator, was the son of General Robert Turnbull Sandeman, and was born on the 25th of February 1835. He was educated at Perth and University of St Andrews, and joined the 33rd Bengal Infantry in 1856...
, the first Agent to the Governor General of Balochistan (Pakistan)
Balochistan (Pakistan)
Balochistan is one of the four provinces or federating units of Pakistan. With an area of 134,051 mi2 or , it is the largest province of Pakistan, constituting approximately 44% of the total land mass of Pakistan. According to the 1998 population census, Balochistan had a population of...
. The name was changed on July 30, 1976 by the Prime Minister of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
of that time Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was 9th Prime Minister of Pakistan from 1973 to 1977, and prior to that, 4th President of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973. Bhutto was the founder of the Pakistan Peoples Party — the largest and most influential political party in Pakistan— and served as its chairman until his...
. The hand-written remarks inserted by him into the visitors' book (preserved at the Zhob Militia Mess) on the occasion say, "Today we have taken a decision to eliminate last vestige of colonialism of this historical place by changing the name instead (to) Zhob of Sandeman, the British conqueror and oppressor of Pathan
Pashtun people
Pashtuns or Pathans , also known as ethnic Afghans , are an Eastern Iranic ethnic group with populations primarily between the Hindu Kush mountains in Afghanistan and the Indus River in Pakistan...
and Baloch
Baloch people
The Baloch or Baluch are an ethnic group that belong to the larger Iranian peoples. Baluch people mainly inhabit the Balochistan region and Sistan and Baluchestan Province in the southeast corner of the Iranian plateau in Western Asia....
people and country."
Later days
He pursued intellectual endeavors and activities far beyond retirement, remaining active well into his seventies. He was a great lover of books. He was a great admirer of Lieutenant-General Sir John Bagot GlubbJohn Bagot Glubb
Lieutenant-General Sir John Bagot Glubb KCB, CMG, DSO, OBE, MC better known as Glubb Pasha , was a British soldier, scholar and author, best known for leading and training Transjordan's Arab Legion 1939-1956 as its commanding general...
Pasha, and considered him the best historian of Islam in English language. He was also a fan of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan
Syed Ahmed Khan
Javad-ud Daula, Arif Jang, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, KCSI , commonly known as Sir Syed, was an Indian educator and politician, and an Islamic reformer and modernist...
and Ghulam Ahmed Pervez
Ghulam Ahmed Pervez
Allama Ghulam Ahmad Parwez was a prominent Islamic scholar, famous in the area around Lahore. He urged the Muslims to ponder deeply over the Message of the Quran. He considered Islam a din , a form of government, a system of government like democracy, autocracy, or socialism...
, and much to the horror of his religious family, tribe, and the people of his area, he used to follow and preach the religious views of these two scholars.
After his retirement, he continued to look after the land of his ancestors and a stud farm at Hazelpur, established by his father Khan Sahib Qazi Zafar Hussain. He died in 1999.
See also
- Frontier Force RegimentFrontier Force RegimentFor Pakistan's Border Guard see: Frontier CorpsThe Frontier Force Regiment is one of six Infantry regiments in the Pakistan Army. At present, the regiment consists of 67 battalions and has its regimental depot at Abbottabad in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. For that reason Abbottabad is also known as Home of...
- Pakistan ArmyPakistan ArmyThe Pakistan Army is the branch of the Pakistani Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. The Pakistan Army came into existence after the Partition of India and the resulting independence of Pakistan in 1947. It is currently headed by General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The Pakistan...
- Lieutenant ColonelLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
- Robert Groves SandemanRobert Groves SandemanSir Robert Groves Sandeman, KCSI , Colonial British Indian officer and administrator, was the son of General Robert Turnbull Sandeman, and was born on the 25th of February 1835. He was educated at Perth and University of St Andrews, and joined the 33rd Bengal Infantry in 1856...
- Sir Olaf CaroeOlaf CaroeSir Olaf Kirkpatrick Kruuse Caroe KCSI KCIE was an administrator in British India. He later became a writer on the Middle East and Asia.-Life:...
- PakistanPakistanPakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
- Awan (Pakistan)Awan (Pakistan)Awan , is a South Asian Zamindar tribe, putatively of Arab origin, living predominantly in northern, central, and western parts of Punjab, Pakistan...
- Aligarh Muslim UniversityAligarh Muslim UniversityAligarh Muslim University ,is a residential academic university, established in 1875 by Sir Syed Ahmed Khan as Mohammedan Angelo-Oriental College and later granted the status of Central University by an Act of the Indian Parliament in 1920...
- ZhobZhob-Roads:Zhob is 333 kilometers from Quetta, 225 kilometers from Dera Ismail Khan. However, the road linking with Dera Ismail Khan is for most part fair nowadays track passing through water streams and almost complete road is metalloid....
- Lieutenant-General Sir John Bagot GlubbJohn Bagot GlubbLieutenant-General Sir John Bagot Glubb KCB, CMG, DSO, OBE, MC better known as Glubb Pasha , was a British soldier, scholar and author, best known for leading and training Transjordan's Arab Legion 1939-1956 as its commanding general...
Pasha - Sir Syed Ahmed KhanSyed Ahmed KhanJavad-ud Daula, Arif Jang, Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, KCSI , commonly known as Sir Syed, was an Indian educator and politician, and an Islamic reformer and modernist...
- Ghulam Ahmed PervezGhulam Ahmed PervezAllama Ghulam Ahmad Parwez was a prominent Islamic scholar, famous in the area around Lahore. He urged the Muslims to ponder deeply over the Message of the Quran. He considered Islam a din , a form of government, a system of government like democracy, autocracy, or socialism...
- All-India Muslim League
- Muhammad Ali JinnahMuhammad Ali JinnahMuhammad Ali Jinnah was a Muslim lawyer, politician, statesman and the founder of Pakistan. He is popularly and officially known in Pakistan as Quaid-e-Azam and Baba-e-Qaum ....