ASHFAQ AHMED;
Short story writer, Intellectual, dramatist---et al, Ashfaq Ahmed was born to Dr. Mohammad Khan at Ferozepur on 22 August-1925.
He did his masters (Urdu Literature) from Government College-Lahore and became a lecturer at Dayal Singh College. Later he earned
an assignment in Rome University (Italy) and taught Urdu there....and achieved a diploma in Italian language. He had complete mastery
on that language. He also achieved diploma in French language from University of France in Paris.
Later he proceeded to New York and worked as a broadcaster for Voice of America's Urdu section...and at the same time acquired
diploma in Radion Broadcasting.
Back in lahore--he actively participated in Radio Pakistan's various programs---by also producing and anchoring his own program
in punjabi and urdu--which became the most popular broadcast of Radio anywhere in Pakistan by the name of TALQEEN SHAH (he himself
was TS) who use to provide advisory services to the farmers and less fortunate ones...on various subjects through a dramatic sense.
He also established a publishing house by the name of "DAASTAAN-E-SERAI" (currently the name of his house in Model Town, lahore)
from where he published journals and magazines--popular being "DAASTAN GO".
The Ayub martial law (Pakistan's first ever) of 1958 saw the take over of PROGRESSIVE WRITERS ASSOCIATION of which Ashfaq Ahmed was
an active member.
Later Ashfaq Ahmed became the editor of the famous weekly "LAIL'O'NAHAR". Then he also became an honorary lecturer on punjabi language at Punjab University and Oriental College.
Then he moved to the RCD (Regional Cooperation for Development--between Pakistan, Iran and Turkey) and became its Director for Cultural
Affairs...thereafter he became the Director-General of Urdu Dictionary Boardb from where he retired after three years.
Ashfaq Ahmed at the advent of PTV from Lahore in 1964---became an icon on drama writing and wrote many a series, serials and long plays
BUT...,.he achieved special fame when his masterpiece; "AIK MUHABBAT SAU AFSANE" was telecast from lahore Centre--which produced
some of the most memorable and powerful plays...still talked about by all and sundry.
His short story (Afsana) "GADDARIA" is considered as 'lafaani' in the world of 'afsane'
My pick of his TV plays..besides "AMSA" would be "MUNN CHALAY KA SAUDA"...which was classy by many counts.
In 1979 Ashfaq Ahmed was bestowed with PRESIDENT OF PAKISTAN's PRIDE OF PERFORMANCE GOLD MEDAL for his meritorious services to Radio, TV and Literature.
His famed writings include; AIK MUHABBAT SAU AFSANE (Collection of love stories), UJLAY PHOOL, TOU'TAA KAHANI, TAALI DE THALLAY,
SHEHR KINARE, UCCHAY BURJ LAHORE DE, KARAVAN-E-SETRAI, HAIRATKADA, QILA KAHANI...the list goes on.
The scribe--of this note takes immense pleasure and honor tos tate here that he was one of those fortunate ones who has performed
in three of the series plays of Ashfaq Ahmed's "AIK MUHABBAT SAU AFSANE" and three episodes of "QILA KAHANI" from Lahore TV Centre.
He was a close friend and associate of my father--Jamiluddin Aali and his wife Bano Qudsia a very close friend to my mother Tayyaba
Aali....as such the proximity with Ashfaq Ahmed for me was indeec a blessed one.
I still call on Bano Aunty occasionally at DASTAAN E SERAI at J Block, Model town, Lahore.
Our famous TV star Maria Wasti's mom and dad being very close friends and associates to Ashfaq Ahmed family.. Maria got her a breakthrough from PTV Lahore due to Ashfaq Ahmed...and so did Mohammad Qavi Khan and Ali Ejaz...and many others.
Raju Jamil
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