Transitions: Educationist Professor Unwanuddin Kakakhel passes away

The retired teacher was considered to be an authority on Pashto literature.

PESHAWAR: Celebrated literary figure, educationist and columnist from Mardan, Professor Unwanuddin Kakakhel, passed away on Saturday morning at the age of 69 due to a heart attack. He was laid to rest in Bakhshali later in the day.

Unwan was attending a seminar as a chief guest when his condition deteriorated. He was taken to a hospital where he breathed his last.

The retired professor leaves behind four sons, journalist Fakhar Kakakhel, Aimal Kakakhel, Rohail Kakakhel and Arshad Kakakhel.

During his career, Unwan served as a Pashto literature teacher at Government Postgraduate College Mardan as well as many other educational institutes. He retired as the principal of Government College Khar, Bajaur Agency.

Unwan wrote columns for a number of publications, including Daily Aaj and Roznama Express. He wanted to publish a compilation of all his columns, but was unable to do so during his life.

Unwan oversaw almost all literary organisations of Mardan. He wrote prefaces for a number of books and was considered an authority on Pashto prose and poetry.  “Being a teacher at Government College Mardan for several years, Professor Unwan had achieved a high stature among the city’s people.

Writers considered it their privilege to have Unwan write a preface for their books,” said Asar Jan, a history writer from Mardan.

According to Jan, Unwan was one of the founding members of Pashto Adabi aur Saqafat Sanga at Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan and led all its activities.

“The people of Mardan have lost a huge source of guidance. He will always be remembered for his educational, literary and cultural services,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2015.