Life History: Mukhtar Masood was born in Aligarh on 7th June 1927. His father, Shaikh Ataullah who was in the Department of Economics in Aligarh Muslim University (now in India) was an expert on Alama Iqbal, the philosopher-poet (during his student days in Lahore, he was quite close to Iqbal).
Mukhtar Masood, was an outstanding Pakistani writer and bureaucrat. He has been awarded Sitara-i-Imtiaz, one of the highest civil awards by the Government of Pakistan.
He was among the very few graduates of Sir Syed’s Muslim University Aligarh who completed the studies from class one to M.A. at the same place.
Mukhtar Masood took the first competitive examination for the Central and Superior Services of Pakistan (CSP) which was held in January 1949. He stood third in the examination, and became a Civil Servant in the newly emerged dominion. After getting into the Superior Services, he gradually rose to become a commissioner, federal secretary, chairman of the Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) and Agricultural Development Bank of Pakistan (ADBP) and Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation for Development (RCD).
When Mukhtar Masood was the Chairman of ADBP (now Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd), he oversaw the completion of a new multi-story building of the bank in Islamabad. Such high-profile buildings are usually inaugurated by the president or the prime minister. Going out of his way, Masood ordered that the new building would be inaugurated neither by the President nor by the Prime Minister but by whosoever was bank’s senior most peon.
His close lieutenants at the ADBP tried to get the strange decision reversed by telling him that the prime minister in those days was very vindictive and the first thing he would do in such an event was to order his prompt dismissal. Concealed threats of dismissal, however, failed to unnerve him and, for the first time in Islamabad’s history, the most graceful of the federal capital’s buildings was actually inaugurated by a shy, old, semi-literate class IV employee of the bank.
He passed away in Lahore on April 15, 2017.
He has written following books:-
Awaz-e-Dost (1973) A first-hand account of the creation of Pakistan.
Safar-e-Naseeb (1981) A travelogue.
Loh-e-Ayyam (1996) A first-hand account of the Iranian Revolution of 1979.
His first book, ‘Awaz e Dost’, was a milestone in Urdu prose. He enthralled the reader with his language and style. He also narrated the role of Aligarh and its students in creation of Pakistan.
Quaid e Azam’s Visits to Aligarh Muslim University. Narrated by Mukhtar Masood in ‘Awaz e Dost’.
Taraqi Aur Shujaat (Progress and Bravery)
Kursi Kay Hasool Kay Asool
Faasla (Distance) Zehn Mein Hota Hai
Mukhtar Masood narrates about Marshal Tito’s visit to Badshahi Mosque Lahore
Different Styles of ‘Hakoomat‘ (Governance)
When Quaid e Azam was making History
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ردو ادب کا دیو ملائی کردار ،مختار مسعود .الله میاں مرحوم کے درجات بلند کریں .امین
Jo bhi Mukhtar Masood sb ko parhta hai un ka shaidai ho jata hai .. Magar ab un ki kitabain bazar main dastiyab nahin hain .. Kisi ko maloom hai agar kahin say mil sakain ? Main nay Ferozsons say bhi maloon kiya magar nahin milin ….. Computer per parhnay ka wo maza nahin………………
JazakAllah
Mukhtar Masood sb nay bahut shandar likha hai, aur aisay likhnay walay urdu adab may bahut nayab hain. Unhon nay ‘quality’ par samjotha nahi kia, ‘quantity’ kay chakkar may.
Unki nai kitab ka intizar hai….
I am extremely fond of Mukhtar Masood Sb and want to read more and more about him and his literary work.
May I download free Awaz-e-Doost and from what website?
I suggest buy it. It’s worth reading again and again. Keep a personal copy.
Mr. Shaheen
You may download free Awaz-e-Doost at any of the following websites:-
http://novels.voiceofpk.com/download-free-awaz-e-dost-pdf/
http://kmjeenovels.blogspot.com/2013/10/awaz-e-dost-by-mukhtar-masood_13.html
http://www.bookspk.net/awaz-e-dost-by-mukhtar-masood.html
My father Syed Abdul Hameed studied with him from class one to M.A. and lost his contact during the last few years and searched, my father has just passed away we are trying to find out about Mukhtar sahib if any one can assist.
Best Regards
Aamir
aamirsan@hotmail.com
Can somebody send me his present address?
When I was in Family Planning of Pakistan (year 2000) he was the Memeber Finance. I have met him two or three times. You may contact FPAP Lahore office to get contact of Mr. Masood.
Please post his images. I need them.
I read Mr. Mukhtar Masood’s Minar-e-Pakistan during Dec 1971 War in Chamb published in a Karachi magazine ‘Naqsh’. Subsequently I got the book from Oxford University Press and read it many times since, distributed over 100 copies to various colleges and schools.
I have a review written by Mr. Abual Fazal, a renowned writer from Karachi, published in Afkar magazine in 1972. I have preserved since then and hope to present this rare piece to you personally. Let me know your address at #4 Central Avenue, Fazaia Colony, Rawalpindi.
Mr Viqar,
I’ve tried to find Awaz-e-Dost but couldn’t find the hard copy. If you can help me find the hard copies then I am willing to buy the whole stock. Please contact me at: imran.m.ismail@gmail.com.
Jazak-Allah.
I wish I can meet him, I am his big fan.
Mukhtar Sahab, aap kuch muzeed likhain please.
I strongly agree, I wish I could meet him.
ناممکن ۔ وہ ‘چھوٹوں’ سے ملنا پسند نہیں کرتے
جی نہیں ڈاکٹر ناصر صاحب۔۔۔۔ وہ ہر طرح کے لوگوں سے ملتے رہے ہیں۔ اب بڑھاپے کی وجہ سے ملنا ملانا بہت کم ہو گیا ہے۔ میں ایک معمولی سا آدمی ہوں۔ مجھے ان سے ملاقات کا شرف حاصل ہو چکا ہے۔ اللہ پاک ان کے وقت اور عمر میں برکت عطا فرمائے۔ آجکل علی گڑھ یونیوسٹی پر ایک کتاب تحریر فرما رہے ہیں۔ اللہ کریم انھیں اسے خود شائع کرنے کی مہلت عطا فرمائیں۔ اللہ پاک انھیں آخرت میں سُرخروئی عطا فرمائیں۔
Autobiography ?