Professor Ghafoor Ahmed was 85 years old. PHOTO: IRFAN ALI/EXPRESS/FILE
Vice Amir of Jamaat -e-Islami Professor Ghafoor Ahmed passed away in Karachi on Wednesday after a protracted illness, Express News reported.
He was under treatment at Karachi's Patel Hospital when he passed away.
Prof. Ahmed, 85, was a long standing member of the Jamaat-e-Islami having joined the party in 1950.
He was also part of the committee that worked on the 1973 Constitution.
He was born in 1927, in Bareli India before coming to Pakistan after partition. He had completed his Masters in economics from Lacknow University.
He was elected into the national assembly in 1971 and was appointed as the federal minister of industry in 1978.
His scholarly pursuits saw him render services at a number of educational institutes. He also wrote five books.
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I have a friend (having no political affiliation) met professor Ghafoor’s, intervirewed him, where I am quoting his comments; I have never seen a person like him, he is so noble, humble and low profile, one can hardly imagine. May Allah bless him with the highest reward of Jannah (ameen
@Umer:
Many religious parties opposed creation of Pakistan, but their intentions were good. They did not want to divide Muslim vote and influence in United India. Currently Muslims make about 12 to 13% of India'a population. Combined with Bengali and Pakistani Muslims, India would have been one third (33%) Muslim. However after creation of Pakistan they respected it and worked as a political organization (in fact only party until recently that holds internal elections and has changing party leader). PS riots were mainly in Punjab because it was divided between India and Pakistan. UP where he was from was rather peaceful, and his family came as immigrants on their free will. He never called himself a mohajir. I have respect for both who came voluntarily in the name of Pakistan and Islam and other who came in distress as refugees/Mohajirs.
You also said" I never heard anything useful coming out of him."
I would say same for you. Try being positive for a change. Believe me it feels really good.
Most sad.Inna lillahi wa innailaihi rajioon. The last sane man in the party is gone. So sad.
@UK:
After his party leader declared Pakistan as Na-Pakistan but since the riots in India they had to leave to take sanctuary in the same Na-Pakistan.
@Umer: Please see an E.N.T.
@anp warrior, ANP is supported by Russia. Why was it against zulfiqar Bhutto who was against Zia ul haq? And what do u mean by the clearly racist statement that he "came from India , ruled here"? Before 1947, everyone was from India. The person who coined the name Pakistan was from the area which is not part of Pakistan now (Choudhry Rahmat Ali). Similarly Liaqat Ali khan was from 'India' and he also 'ruled' Pakistan. This list is very long (Maulana Mohammad Ali Jauhar, Even sir syed Ali khan was born in Delhi who established Aligarh which produced the Muslim leadership of the Pakistan movement). Let me remind you that these distinguished leaders 'from India' helped made Pakistan a reality (along with many equally great leaders from the area which became Pakistan and Bangladesh) unlike (you have forced me to say) Yahya Khan from Peshawar who divided Pakistan in half. The Nizam of Hyderabad literally funded Pakistan in many ways, with gold, money, knowledge, seals, icons and currency development. His wealth ensured that Pakistan survived when it did not receive its share from India. Before generalising and pointing fingers at 'people from India', I think you should read your , rather our history.
I never heard anything useful coming out of him.
@ANP warrior: Bacha Khan AKA Frontier Ghandi opposed the creation of Pakistan, did not condemn the Soviet invasion of Afganistan and was burried in Afghanistan. Rajiv Ghandi came to Pakistan to attend his funeral. Even today ANP workers never bother to wear Green caps and always go for Red. Please read little history before pointing your finger at an upright person like Professor Ghafoor Ahmed. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
He was part of a team which sowed seed of hatred in constitution and later joined dictator to physically implement policies of hatred on weak citizens.
@ANP warrior: One may have differences with the departed soul, but the fact remains that as a person we don't come across such political figures anymore. Please recall that Yousuf Raza Gilani was minister of Works in Zia's cabinet, while the tall champion of democracy, Nawaz Sharif was bred under Martial Law as a prodigy of the Punjab Governer Lt Gen Gilani!
@ANP warrior:
He came from India = He left his place of birth and became an immigrant in the name of Pakistan and Islam.
Ruled = JI he belonged to has not (and probably will not be able to) ruled this country or any province so far.
Ruined Everything = He was part of the committee that make current constitution.
He was indeed a supporter of Zia. who left a mixed legacy (just like other dictators). He was also a political rival of ANP (which explains your comment). It is convenient to put blame on rivals for all the wrongs upon others (especially when they are gone form this world) and absolve yourself of any.I never have or will vote for JI but he was one of very few politicians in the country that can be considered clean and corruption free.
He wrote in his book that dialogue between PNA and Bhutto had reached a settlement, the dispute was over but Zia struck. But later he joined Zia and became his cabinet minister
He was a true gentleman of Pakistani politics and an excellent person. May he RIP
@ANP warrior: Everyone born before 1947 was an Indian. Maybe we should hang all of them for being spies. You should change your title to Taliban warrior, seems you are both on the same intellectual wavelength. Below par.
A great loss. May Allah bless him.
When Jamaat-e-Islami joined hands with Zia-ul-Haq, Prof Ghafoor was greatly dismayed but obeyed party discipline. He was a man of principle and integrity, qualities much in absence among present day politicians. Though he ought to have become Amir of the party, the party electors - being mostly Punjabi or Pathan - probably could not countenance a man of his origins as their leader. Sad. We could do with more men of his calibre today.
@ANP warrior: Sir are u a follower of Bacha Khan, the man who lived for and died for Afghanistan? Didn't even consider the soil of Pakistan fit enough for his burial
Jamaat i Islami is the grandparent of Taliban. People like Prof. Ghuffur are responsible for the disasters this party created for Pak. including the constitution of 1973 which goes against Jinnah's will of secularism.
A national loss. He was a man of great character and devoted to his party, Pakistan and Islam. May Allah grant him the highest ranks in jannat. Ameen.
A great loss, He was a great person I have always seen him with a sort of kind smile on his face. May Allah rest his soul in peace and grant him jannat el ferdous inshallah and grant his family patience. My condolences goes specially to his two sons Tariq and Zahid.
INNA LILLAH E WA INNA ILAIHAY RAJEOON......May ALLAH SUBHANA HU TA'ALA bestow his mercies and forgiveness upon the departed soul n bless him with Jannah... ameen!
Very hard to find upright people like him these days. May his soul rest in eternal peace. Ameen.
He was the supporter of Zia ul Haq which ruined Pakistani culture specialy Pashtun culture with extremism and terrorism. How does it make him great ? I just don't understand it. He came from India , ruled here and ruined everything.
Innalillah e wa inna alaih e ra'aji'oon, a thorough gentleman he was, may Allah grant him a high status in the hereafter.
Inna Lillah hay wa inna elleheay rajieeon.
RIP
A great loss for the nation..a great leader of Jamat-e-Islami; righteous, disciplined and soft-spoken. May the Almighty shower his blessings on the departed.