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{{short description|Pakistani politician and independence activist}}
{{short description|Pakistani independence activist and politician (1899–1958)}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific-prefix = [[Sardar]]
| honorific-prefix = [[Sardar]]
| name = Abdur Rab Nishtar<br>سردار عبد الرب نښتر
| name = Abdur Rab Nishtar
| native_name = {{nobold|{{lang|ur|{{nq|سردار عبدالرب نشتر}}}}}}
| image = Abdul Rab Nishtar.jpg
| image = Abdul Rab Nishtar.jpg
| caption = Nishtar's official portrait
| office2 = 1st [[Ministry of Communications (Pakistan)|Minister of Communications]]
| office2 = 1st [[Ministry of Communications (Pakistan)|Minister of Communications]]
| term_start2 = 15 August 1947
| term_start2 = 15 August 1947
| term_end2 = 1 August 1949
| term_end2 = 1 August 1949
| governor-general2 = [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]]<br/>Khawaja Nazimuddin
| office1 = 2nd [[Governor of West Punjab]]
| office1 = 2nd [[Governor of West Punjab]]
| term_start1 = 2 August 1949
| term_start1 = 2 August 1949
| term_end1 = 24 November 1951
| term_end1 = 24 November 1951
| 1blankname1 = [[Chief Minister of Punjab, Pakistan|Chief Minister]]
| 1namedata1 = [[Iftikhar Hussain Khan Mamdot|Iftikhar Hussain Khan]]<br />
[[Mumtaz Daultana]]
| predecessor1 = [[Francis Mudie]]
| predecessor1 = [[Francis Mudie]]
| successor1 = [[I I Chundrigar]]
| successor1 = [[I. I. Chundrigar]]
| primeminister2 = [[Liaqat Ali Khan]]
| primeminister2 = [[Liaquat Ali Khan]]
| primeminister1 =
| primeminister1 =
| monarch =
| monarch2 = George VI
| governor-general =
| governor-general1 = [[Khawaja Nazimuddin]]<br/>[[Malik Ghulam Muhammad]]
| monarch1 = [[George VI]]
| monarch1 = [[George VI]]
| birth_date = 13 June 1899
| birth_date = 13 June 1899
| birth_place = [[Peshawar]], [[Punjab Province (British India)|Punjab]], [[British Raj|British India]] (now [[Pakhtunkhwa]], Pakistan)
| birth_place = [[Peshawar]], [[British Raj|British India]]<br/>{{small|(present-day [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]], Pakistan)}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1958|2|14|1899|6|13}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1958|2|14|1899|6|13}}
| death_place = [[Karachi]], [[Federal Capital Territory (Pakistan)|Federal Capital Territory]], [[Pakistan]]
| death_place = [[Karachi]], [[Federal Capital Territory (Pakistan)|Federal Capital Territory]], Pakistan<br/>{{small|(present-day [[Sindh]], Pakistan)}}
| education = [[Edwardes College]]
| education = [[Edwardes College]]
| alma_mater = [[University of Punjab]] (B.A)<br>[[Aligarh Muslim University]] (L.L.B)
| alma_mater = [[University of the Punjab]] (B.A)<br>[[Aligarh Muslim University]] (L.L.B)
| nationality = {{flag|British India|name=British Indian}} (1899-1947)<br>{{flag|Pakistan|name=Pakistani}} (1947-1958)
| nationality = {{flag|British India|name=British Indian}} (1899-1947)<br>{{flag|Pakistan|name=Pakistani}} (1947-1958)
| occupation = [[Politician]]
| occupation = [[Politician]]
| party = {{flagicon image|Flag of Muslim League.svg}} [[All India Muslim League]]
| party = {{flagicon image|Flag of Muslim League.svg}} [[Muslim League (Pakistan)|Muslim League]] {{small|(after independence)}}<br>{{flagicon image|Flag of Muslim League.svg}} [[All India Muslim League]] {{small|(before independence)}}
| predecessor2 = Office established
| predecessor2 = ''Office established''
| successor2 = [[Sardar Bahadur Khan]]
| successor2 = [[Sardar Bahadur Khan]]
| resting_place = [[Mazar-e-Quaid]]
}}
}}


[[Sardar]] '''Abdur Rab Nishtar''' (13 June 1899 &ndash; 14 February 1958; {{lang-ps|سردار عبد الرب نښتر}}) was a [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] stalwart, a [[Pakistan movement]] leader and activist and later on a Pakistani politician from [[North-West Frontier Province]] (present-day [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]).<ref name=storyofpakistan>[https://storyofpakistan.com/sardar-abdur-rub-nishtar Abdur Rab Nishtar Biography on storyofpakistan.com website] Retrieved 7 October 2019</ref>
[[Sardar]] '''Abdur Rab Nishtar''' (13 June 1899 &ndash; 14 February 1958) was a Pakistani [[Pakistan Movement|independence activist]] and politician from the [[North-West Frontier Province]] (present-day [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]).<ref name=storyofpakistan>{{cite web|url=https://storyofpakistan.com/sardar-abdur-rub-nishtar |title=Abdur Rab Nishtar profile|website=Story of Pakistan website|archive-date=18 April 2019|access-date=10 March 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418011757/https://storyofpakistan.com/sardar-abdur-rub-nishtar}}</ref> He served as the first [[Ministry of Communications (Pakistan)|Minister of Communications of Pakistan]] from August 1947 to August 1949 and then as the second [[Governor of Punjab, Pakistan|Governor of West Punjab]] from August 1949 to November 1951.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Abdul Rab Nishtar was born on 13 June 1899 into a religious household in [[Peshawar]], [[British India]]. His father, Maulvi Abdul Hannan was a prominent figure from the [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] [[Kakar]] tribe that had fiercely opposed the [[British raj]] in India.<ref name=storyofpakistan/><ref name=OPF/>
Abdul Rab Nishtar was born on 13 June 1899 into a religious household in [[Peshawar]], [[British India]]. His father, Maulvi Abdul Hannan was a prominent figure from the [[Pashtuns|Pashtun]] [[Kakar]] tribe that had fiercely opposed the [[British raj|British rule]] in South Asia.<ref name=storyofpakistan/><ref name=OPF/>

Nishtar's ancestors hailed from Muslim Bagh, Killa Saifullah district in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|north Balochistan]] but had later settled in [[Peshawar]], [[British India]]. He completed his early education in a [[Christianity|Christian]] mission school and later Sanathan Dharam High School in [[Bombay]], (now 'Mumbai' in [[India]]). He eventually graduated from the [[Edwardes College]] in Peshawar and then later on completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from the [[University of the Punjab|Punjab University]], [[Lahore]] in 1923. He later went to [[Aligarh]] and received an LL.B degree with honours from [[Aligarh Muslim University]] in 1925.<ref name=storyofpakistan/><ref name=OPF/>
Nishtar's ancestors hailed from Zhob, district in [[Balochistan, Pakistan|north Balochistan]] but had later settled in Peshawar. He completed his early education in a [[Christianity|Christian]] mission school and later Sanathan Dharam High School in [[Bombay]], (now 'Mumbai' in [[India]]). He eventually graduated from the [[Edwardes College]] in Peshawar and then later on completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from the [[University of the Punjab|Punjab University]], [[Lahore]] in 1923. He later went to [[Aligarh]] and received an LL.B degree with honours from [[Aligarh Muslim University]] in 1925.<ref name=storyofpakistan/><ref name=OPF/>


==Political career==
==Political career==
A man of deep religious convictions, he also had a deep interest in Islamic mysticism, a fact which probably reflects the influence of his parents and also his associate Maulana [[Muhammad Ali Jauhar]]. From 1919 to 1920, both of them actively participated in the [[Khilafat Movement]]. Later, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar remained member of [[Indian National Congress]] from 1927 to 1931, was elected Municipal Commissioner, Peshawar Municipal committee, successively from 1929 to 1938, joined [[All-India Muslim League]], became a confidante of Pakistan's founder [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]]. From 1932 to 1936, Nishtar was a member of [[All India Muslim League]] (AIML) Council, member NWFP (Northwest Frontier Province) legislative Assembly 1937 to 1945, [[Finance Minister]] NWFP 1943–45, member AIML Working Committee, 1944–1947, represented the [[All India Muslim League]] at the [[Simla Conference]] in 1945.<ref name=findpk>[https://findpk.com/cybercity/pof/sardar_abdur_rab_nishtar.html Abdur Rab Nishtar profile on Pioneers of Freedom website] Retrieved 7 October 2019</ref><ref name=storyofpakistan/>
A man of deep religious convictions, he also had a deep interest in Islamic mysticism, a fact which probably reflects the influence of his parents and also his associate Maulana [[Muhammad Ali Jauhar]]. From 1919 to 1920, both of them actively participated in the [[Khilafat Movement]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} Later, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar remained member of [[Indian National Congress]] from 1927 to 1931, was elected Municipal Commissioner, Peshawar Municipal committee, successively from 1929 to 1938, joined [[All-India Muslim League]], became a confidante of Pakistan's founder [[Muhammad Ali Jinnah]]. From 1932 to 1936, Nishtar was a member of [[All India Muslim League]] (AIML) Council, member NWFP (Northwest Frontier Province) legislative Assembly 1937 to 1945, [[Finance Minister]] NWFP 1943–45, member AIML Working Committee, 1944–1947, represented the [[All India Muslim League]] at the [[Simla Conference]] in 1945.<ref name=findpk>[https://findpk.com/cybercity/pof/sardar_abdur_rab_nishtar.html Abdur Rab Nishtar profile on Pioneers of Freedom website] Retrieved 7 October 2019</ref><ref name=storyofpakistan/>


Abdur Rab Nishtar was ousted from provincial politics through the political maneuvers of a rival political leader [[Abdul Qayyum Khan]] in 1946.<ref name=OPF>{{cite web|url= https://www.opf.org.pk/almanac/P/peronpoli.htm |title=Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar profile (scroll down to see this profile)|website=Overseas Pakistanis Foundation website|archive-date=4 December 2005|access-date=7 October 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051204090107/http://www.opf.org.pk/almanac/P/peronpoli.htm }}</ref> Abdul Qayyum Khan was an outcaste from the [[Indian National Congress]] Party, who then vigorously opposed that political party after his ouster from it,<ref>Robert Aura Smith, ''Divided India'' (Read Books, 2007), pp. 241–242</ref>
Abdur Rab Nishtar was ousted from provincial politics through the political maneuvers of a rival political leader [[Abdul Qayyum Khan]] in 1946.<ref name=OPF>{{cite web|url= https://www.opf.org.pk/almanac/P/peronpoli.htm |title=Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar profile (scroll down to see this profile)|website=Overseas Pakistanis Foundation website|archive-date=4 December 2005|access-date=7 October 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051204090107/http://www.opf.org.pk/almanac/P/peronpoli.htm }}</ref> Abdul Qayyum Khan was an outcast from the [[Indian National Congress]] Party, who then vigorously opposed that political party after his ouster from it,<ref>Robert Aura Smith, ''Divided India'' (Read Books, 2007), pp. 241–242</ref>
especially he was against the union of the [[Indian subcontinent]] in a single country and was working for the creation of an independent Muslim state.<ref>Rajmohan Gandhi, ''Patel: a Life'', p. 416</ref><ref name=storyofpakistan/>
especially he was against the union of the [[Indian subcontinent]] in a single country and was working for the creation of an independent Muslim state.<ref>Rajmohan Gandhi, ''Patel: a Life'', p. 416</ref><ref name=storyofpakistan/>


==As Federal Minister==
==As Federal Minister==
After the [[Dominion of Pakistan]] was created, Nishtar was appointed Minister for communication in Pakistan and served in that position from 1947 to 1949. He introduced the use of [[Urdu language]] in [[Pakistan Railways]] and [[Pakistan Post|Pakistan Post Office]]. After the dismissal of the Punjab Provincial government in 1949, Sardar Nishtar was appointed [[Governor of Punjab (Pakistan)|Governor of Punjab]] (the first Pakistani governor in Pakistan's history, till that time the British government had still continued governing with previous English Governors). He effectively ran the Governorship for two years paving the way for restoration of an elected government in 1951.<ref name=storyofpakistan/><ref name=OPF/>
After the [[Dominion of Pakistan]] was created, Nishtar was appointed Minister for communication in Pakistan and served in that position from 1947 to 1949.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} He introduced the use of [[Urdu language]] in [[Pakistan Railways]] and [[Pakistan Post|Pakistan Post Office]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} After the dismissal of the Punjab Provincial government in 1949, Sardar Nishtar was appointed [[Governor of Punjab (Pakistan)|Governor of Punjab]] (the first Pakistani governor in Pakistan's history, till that time the British government had still continued governing with previous English Governors). He effectively ran the Governorship for two years paving the way for restoration of an elected government in 1951.<ref name=storyofpakistan/><ref name=OPF/>


==Nomination for Prime Minister==
==Nomination for Prime Minister==
Nishtar was considered a serious contender for the post of Prime Minister after [[Liaqat Ali Khan]]'s assassination. His appointment was blocked by senior secularists and liberal officials including the future President [[Iskander Mirza]] because of Nishtar's conservative and Islamic views.
Nishtar was considered a serious contender for the post of Prime Minister after [[Liaqat Ali Khan]]'s assassination.{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}} His appointment was blocked by senior secularists and liberal officials including the future President [[Iskander Mirza]] because of Nishtar's conservative and Islamic views.


==Became Opposition Leader against corrupt politicians==
==Opposition Leader==
He subsequently fell out with the government over the dismissal of [[Prime minister]] [[Khawaja Nazimuddin]]'s government by Governor General [[Malik Ghulam Muhammad|Ghulam Muhammad]].<ref>[https://storyofpakistan.com/ghulam-muhammad Profile of Governor General Ghulam Muhammad on storyofpakistan.com website] Updated 1 June 2003, Retrieved 8 October 2019</ref> Refusing to be involved in what he perceived as an undemocratic act, Nishtar went into opposition. In 1956, when the first Pakistani constitution was adopted, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar was elected president of the party against the wishes of President [[Iskandar Mirza]] and then prime minister [[Chaudhry Mohammad Ali]] who were backing Dr. [[Khan Sahib]] as West Pakistan chief minister while Nishtar wanted an [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] man for the office. But a big majority of the League leaders, including Nawab [[Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani]] and [[Mumtaz Daultana]], supported Iskander Mirza.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://epaper.dawn.com/print-textview.php?StoryImage=26_08_2017_702_001 |title=Enter the invisible oligarchy (political maneuvers by Malik Ghulam Muhammad)|website=Dawn (newspaper)|date=26 August 2017|author=Syed Jaffar Ahmed|access-date=8 October 2019}}</ref>
He subsequently fell out with the government over the dismissal of [[Prime minister]] [[Khawaja Nazimuddin]]'s government by Governor General [[Malik Ghulam Muhammad|Ghulam Muhammad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://storyofpakistan.com/ghulam-muhammad |title=Profile of Governor General Ghulam Muhammad|website=Story of Pakistan website|date= 1 June 2003|access-date=10 March 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421021040/https://storyofpakistan.com/ghulam-muhammad |archive-date=21 April 2019}}</ref> Refusing to be involved in what he perceived as an undemocratic act, Nishtar went into opposition. In 1956, when the first Pakistani constitution was adopted, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar was elected president of the Muslim League against the wishes of President [[Iskandar Mirza]] and then prime minister [[Chaudhry Mohammad Ali]] who were backing Dr. [[Khan Sahib]] from the Republican Party as West Pakistan chief minister while Nishtar wanted a [[All-India Muslim League|Muslim League]] man for the office. But a big majority of the League leaders, including Nawab [[Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani]] and [[Mumtaz Daultana]], supported Iskander Mirza.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1353861 |title=Special report: Parliament in Chaos 1951-1958 (Enter the Invisible Oligarchy)|newspaper=Dawn (newspaper)|date=25 August 2017|author=Syed Jaffar Ahmed|access-date=10 March 2023}}</ref>


==Leader of Muslim League==
==Leader of Muslim League==
Line 68: Line 76:
Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar's younger brother Sardar Abdul Ghayur was a senior diplomat who served as Pakistan's ambassador in numerous countries. [[Safwat Ghayur]] (Shaheed) the widely respected and venerated AIGP (police) officer who was martyred in the line of duty was a nephew of Nishtar. General [[Abdul Waheed Kakar]] former [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)]] is another nephew of Nishtar. Senior political leader, chairman of [[Qaumi Watan Party]], former [[Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and former [[interior minister]] [[Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao]] was son in law to Nishtar.
Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar's younger brother Sardar Abdul Ghayur was a senior diplomat who served as Pakistan's ambassador in numerous countries. [[Safwat Ghayur]] (Shaheed) the widely respected and venerated AIGP (police) officer who was martyred in the line of duty was a nephew of Nishtar. General [[Abdul Waheed Kakar]] former [[Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan)]] is another nephew of Nishtar. Senior political leader, chairman of [[Qaumi Watan Party]], former [[Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa|chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]] and former [[interior minister]] [[Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao]] was son in law to Nishtar.


His eldest son Jamil Nishtar was a renowned banker, another was Prominent physician Professor Dr Tariq Nishtar, and youngest one died at the age 29 and was an engineer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar's last surviving son passes away|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/85311-Sardar-Abdur-Rab-Nishtars-last-surviving-son-passes-away|access-date=2022-02-15|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en}}</ref>
His eldest son Jamil Nishtar was a renowned banker, another was Prominent physician Professor Dr Tariq Nishtar, and youngest one died at the age 29 and was an engineer.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar's last surviving son passes away|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/85311-Sardar-Abdur-Rab-Nishtars-last-surviving-son-passes-away|access-date=2023-03-10|newspaper=The News International (newspaper)|language=en}}</ref> Abdur Rab Nishtar's grandson is married to Dr. [[Sania Nishtar]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/11-Oct-2008/pm-meets-nishtars-grand-daughter|title=PM meets Nishtar's grand daughter|date=11 October 2008}}</ref> who was the special assistant on poverty alleviation and social safety to Prime Minister [[Imran Khan]]

Abdur Rab Nishtar's grandson is married to Dr. [[Sania Nishtar]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nation.com.pk/11-Oct-2008/pm-meets-nishtars-grand-daughter|title=PM meets Nishtar's grand daughter|date=11 October 2008}}</ref> who is the special assistant on poverty alleviation and social safety to Prime Minister [[Imran Khan]]


==References==
==References==
{{Notelist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


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{{DEFAULTSORT:Nishtar, Abdur Rab}}
[[Category:First Pakistani Cabinet]]
[[Category:First Pakistani Cabinet]]
[[Category:All India Muslim League members]]
[[Category:All-India Muslim League politicians]]
[[Category:Pashtun people]]
[[Category:Pashtun politicians]]
[[Category:Governors of Punjab, Pakistan]]
[[Category:Governors of Punjab, Pakistan]]
[[Category:University of the Punjab alumni]]
[[Category:University of the Punjab alumni]]
[[Category:Aligarh Muslim University alumni]]
[[Category:Aligarh Muslim University alumni]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Pakistan Movement]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Pakistan Movement]]
[[Category:People from Peshawar]]
[[Category:Politicians from Peshawar]]
[[Category:Pakistani MNAs 1947&ndash;1954]]
[[Category:Pakistani MNAs 1947&ndash;1954]]
[[Category:Communications Ministers of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Communications ministers of Pakistan]]
[[Category:Pakistani sports executives and administrators]]
[[Category:Pakistani sports executives and administrators]]
[[Category:Pakistan Movement activists from the North-West Frontier Province]]
[[Category:Pakistan Movement activists from the North-West Frontier Province]]
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[[Category:1958 deaths]]
[[Category:1958 deaths]]
[[Category:Members of the Council of the Governor General of India]]
[[Category:Members of the Council of the Governor General of India]]
[[Category:People from Karachi]]

Latest revision as of 22:22, 3 November 2024

Sardar
Abdur Rab Nishtar
سردار عبدالرب نشتر
Nishtar's official portrait
2nd Governor of West Punjab
In office
2 August 1949 – 24 November 1951
MonarchGeorge VI
Governors‑GeneralKhawaja Nazimuddin
Malik Ghulam Muhammad
Chief MinisterIftikhar Hussain Khan
Mumtaz Daultana
Preceded byFrancis Mudie
Succeeded byI. I. Chundrigar
1st Minister of Communications
In office
15 August 1947 – 1 August 1949
MonarchGeorge VI
Governors‑GeneralMuhammad Ali Jinnah
Khawaja Nazimuddin
Prime MinisterLiaquat Ali Khan
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded bySardar Bahadur Khan
Personal details
Born13 June 1899
Peshawar, British India
(present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
Died14 February 1958(1958-02-14) (aged 58)
Karachi, Federal Capital Territory, Pakistan
(present-day Sindh, Pakistan)
Resting placeMazar-e-Quaid
Nationality British Indian (1899-1947)
 Pakistani (1947-1958)
Political party Muslim League (after independence)
All India Muslim League (before independence)
EducationEdwardes College
Alma materUniversity of the Punjab (B.A)
Aligarh Muslim University (L.L.B)
OccupationPolitician

Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar (13 June 1899 – 14 February 1958) was a Pakistani independence activist and politician from the North-West Frontier Province (present-day Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).[1] He served as the first Minister of Communications of Pakistan from August 1947 to August 1949 and then as the second Governor of West Punjab from August 1949 to November 1951.

Early life and education

[edit]

Abdul Rab Nishtar was born on 13 June 1899 into a religious household in Peshawar, British India. His father, Maulvi Abdul Hannan was a prominent figure from the Pashtun Kakar tribe that had fiercely opposed the British rule in South Asia.[1][2]

Nishtar's ancestors hailed from Zhob, district in north Balochistan but had later settled in Peshawar. He completed his early education in a Christian mission school and later Sanathan Dharam High School in Bombay, (now 'Mumbai' in India). He eventually graduated from the Edwardes College in Peshawar and then later on completed his Bachelor of Arts degree from the Punjab University, Lahore in 1923. He later went to Aligarh and received an LL.B degree with honours from Aligarh Muslim University in 1925.[1][2]

Political career

[edit]

A man of deep religious convictions, he also had a deep interest in Islamic mysticism, a fact which probably reflects the influence of his parents and also his associate Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar. From 1919 to 1920, both of them actively participated in the Khilafat Movement.[citation needed] Later, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar remained member of Indian National Congress from 1927 to 1931, was elected Municipal Commissioner, Peshawar Municipal committee, successively from 1929 to 1938, joined All-India Muslim League, became a confidante of Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. From 1932 to 1936, Nishtar was a member of All India Muslim League (AIML) Council, member NWFP (Northwest Frontier Province) legislative Assembly 1937 to 1945, Finance Minister NWFP 1943–45, member AIML Working Committee, 1944–1947, represented the All India Muslim League at the Simla Conference in 1945.[3][1]

Abdur Rab Nishtar was ousted from provincial politics through the political maneuvers of a rival political leader Abdul Qayyum Khan in 1946.[2] Abdul Qayyum Khan was an outcast from the Indian National Congress Party, who then vigorously opposed that political party after his ouster from it,[4] especially he was against the union of the Indian subcontinent in a single country and was working for the creation of an independent Muslim state.[5][1]

As Federal Minister

[edit]

After the Dominion of Pakistan was created, Nishtar was appointed Minister for communication in Pakistan and served in that position from 1947 to 1949.[citation needed] He introduced the use of Urdu language in Pakistan Railways and Pakistan Post Office.[citation needed] After the dismissal of the Punjab Provincial government in 1949, Sardar Nishtar was appointed Governor of Punjab (the first Pakistani governor in Pakistan's history, till that time the British government had still continued governing with previous English Governors). He effectively ran the Governorship for two years paving the way for restoration of an elected government in 1951.[1][2]

Nomination for Prime Minister

[edit]

Nishtar was considered a serious contender for the post of Prime Minister after Liaqat Ali Khan's assassination.[citation needed] His appointment was blocked by senior secularists and liberal officials including the future President Iskander Mirza because of Nishtar's conservative and Islamic views.

Opposition Leader

[edit]

He subsequently fell out with the government over the dismissal of Prime minister Khawaja Nazimuddin's government by Governor General Ghulam Muhammad.[6] Refusing to be involved in what he perceived as an undemocratic act, Nishtar went into opposition. In 1956, when the first Pakistani constitution was adopted, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar was elected president of the Muslim League against the wishes of President Iskandar Mirza and then prime minister Chaudhry Mohammad Ali who were backing Dr. Khan Sahib from the Republican Party as West Pakistan chief minister while Nishtar wanted a Muslim League man for the office. But a big majority of the League leaders, including Nawab Mushtaq Ahmad Gurmani and Mumtaz Daultana, supported Iskander Mirza.[7]

Leader of Muslim League

[edit]

He subsequently took over the leadership of the Muslim League party and the League was expected to do well in West Pakistan in the planned 1959 elections but unfortunately he died before that. He served as president, Pakistan Muslim League from 1956 to 1958.[2]

Commemorative postage stamp

[edit]

Pakistan Post Office issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honor in its 'Pioneers of Freedom' series in 1990.[8][9]

Death and legacy

[edit]
Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar Tomb

Abdur Rab Nishtar died of a heart attack on 14 February 1958 in Karachi. He had been suffering from heart disease and high blood pressure since 1953. Nishtar Medical College, Nishtar Hospital in the city of Multan and Nishtar Hall Peshawar are named in his honor. Nishtar Park and Nishtar Road in Karachi are named after him. He was buried at Mazar-e-Quaid near the Tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founding father of Pakistan to acknowledge his services in the cause of Pakistan. Abdul Rab Nishtar had a reputation of being a sincere political leader and a man of amicable nature. With his political activities, he contributed greatly to All-India Muslim League and the Muslims living in the Indian subcontinent, creating political consciousness and Islamic spirit among them.[1][2]

Abdul Rab Nishtar was a close friend of both Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar and Maulana Shaukat Ali. At one point during their association, Muhammad Ali Jauhar had told Nishtar that he opposed Jinnah for re-organization of the All-India Muslim League. After finding out all the details of Jinnah-Jauhar discussion, Nishtar decided to support Jinnah's proposal and even succeeded in convincing Jauhar to do the same.[1]

Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar's younger brother Sardar Abdul Ghayur was a senior diplomat who served as Pakistan's ambassador in numerous countries. Safwat Ghayur (Shaheed) the widely respected and venerated AIGP (police) officer who was martyred in the line of duty was a nephew of Nishtar. General Abdul Waheed Kakar former Chief of Army Staff (Pakistan) is another nephew of Nishtar. Senior political leader, chairman of Qaumi Watan Party, former chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and former interior minister Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao was son in law to Nishtar.

His eldest son Jamil Nishtar was a renowned banker, another was Prominent physician Professor Dr Tariq Nishtar, and youngest one died at the age 29 and was an engineer.[10] Abdur Rab Nishtar's grandson is married to Dr. Sania Nishtar,[11] who was the special assistant on poverty alleviation and social safety to Prime Minister Imran Khan

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "Abdur Rab Nishtar profile". Story of Pakistan website. Archived from the original on 18 April 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "Sardar Abdul Rab Nishtar profile (scroll down to see this profile)". Overseas Pakistanis Foundation website. Archived from the original on 4 December 2005. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
  3. ^ Abdur Rab Nishtar profile on Pioneers of Freedom website Retrieved 7 October 2019
  4. ^ Robert Aura Smith, Divided India (Read Books, 2007), pp. 241–242
  5. ^ Rajmohan Gandhi, Patel: a Life, p. 416
  6. ^ "Profile of Governor General Ghulam Muhammad". Story of Pakistan website. 1 June 2003. Archived from the original on 21 April 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  7. ^ Syed Jaffar Ahmed (25 August 2017). "Special report: Parliament in Chaos 1951-1958 (Enter the Invisible Oligarchy)". Dawn (newspaper). Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  8. ^ Abdur Rab Nishtar commemorative postage stamp 'Pioneers of Freedom' series (1990) on State Bank of Pakistan Museum website Retrieved 8 October 2019
  9. ^ Abdur Rab Nishtar (enlarged postage stamp image) on Google.com website Retrieved 8 October 2019
  10. ^ "Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar's last surviving son passes away". The News International (newspaper). Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  11. ^ "PM meets Nishtar's grand daughter". 11 October 2008.

Bibliography

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Syed Mujawar Hussain Shah, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar: A Political Biography (Lahore, Qadiria Books, 1985).

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Political offices
Preceded by Governor of Punjab
1949–1951 		Succeeded by
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