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Ever wonder why Pakistan has a lack of great intellectuals? Thinkers and opinion-makers seem missing from our history.
And yet, they definitely existed. On 14th August, let us remember a few of these brilliant minds our country neglected, ostracised and forgot.
[A thread].
And yet, they definitely existed. On 14th August, let us remember a few of these brilliant minds our country neglected, ostracised and forgot.
[A thread].
Disclaimer: This list of Pakistani intellectuals is by no means inclusive, exhaustive or non-partisan. Its reflective of my own background and limited knowledge so apologies beforehand.
Lets start with the best of all:
Eqbal Ahmad (1933-99)
Anti-imperialist and anti-war activist, thinker, writer and academic.
Fought in Kashmir, Algeria and Palestine.
Central to development of Post-colonialism & Decolonization.
Considered an authority on imperialist resistance
Eqbal Ahmad (1933-99)
Anti-imperialist and anti-war activist, thinker, writer and academic.
Fought in Kashmir, Algeria and Palestine.
Central to development of Post-colonialism & Decolonization.
Considered an authority on imperialist resistance
Had a dream of making a world-class liberal arts college (Khaldunia University) in Pakistan. Could not fill that before his death.
Celebrated by intellectual giants like Edward Said, Noam Chomsky and Frantz Fanon.
Celebrated by intellectual giants like Edward Said, Noam Chomsky and Frantz Fanon.
Hamza Alavi (1921-2003)
Genius sociologist, activist and feminist.
Used Marxism to analyse Pakistan. His works will teach you why Establishment still controls Pakistan
Renowned in the world for his analysis of Post-colonial states, peasant revolutions and marginalized groups.
Genius sociologist, activist and feminist.
Used Marxism to analyse Pakistan. His works will teach you why Establishment still controls Pakistan
Renowned in the world for his analysis of Post-colonial states, peasant revolutions and marginalized groups.
Alavi studied fundamentalism, women's rights, post-colonial nationalism and Pakistani class structure.
His readings are still relevant decades later.
He was also an avowed feminist who supported all major women's movements in Pakistan.
His readings are still relevant decades later.
He was also an avowed feminist who supported all major women's movements in Pakistan.
Akhtar Hameed Khan (1914-99)
Development master and thinker.
Created entire models on people-led development and improvement. Creator of Orangi Pilot Project.
A multi-lingual genius who is also responsible for kick-starting the concept of miro-credit, family planning etc.
Development master and thinker.
Created entire models on people-led development and improvement. Creator of Orangi Pilot Project.
A multi-lingual genius who is also responsible for kick-starting the concept of miro-credit, family planning etc.
Worked on all issues related to poor, women and marginalized communities.
Was awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award (known as Asia's Nobel)
His work was replicated in many other nations including the Grameen Bank.
Was awarded Ramon Magsaysay Award (known as Asia's Nobel)
His work was replicated in many other nations including the Grameen Bank.
Shaista Suhrawardy Ikramullah (1915-2000)
Diplomat, thinker, freedom activist and 1st female representative in Pakistan first national assembly.
Pakistan's ambassador to Morocco.
She wrote for several magazines and penned essays on Islam, language and other topics.
Diplomat, thinker, freedom activist and 1st female representative in Pakistan first national assembly.
Pakistan's ambassador to Morocco.
She wrote for several magazines and penned essays on Islam, language and other topics.
Mahbub-ul-Haq (1934-98)
Economist considered an authority in development and game theory.
Created Human Development Index for UN which we still use.
First to point out inequality during Ayub Era
Was Pakistan's Chief Economist
Celebrated by people like Amartya Sen. Kofi Annan.
Economist considered an authority in development and game theory.
Created Human Development Index for UN which we still use.
First to point out inequality during Ayub Era
Was Pakistan's Chief Economist
Celebrated by people like Amartya Sen. Kofi Annan.
UN actually created an award in his name: The Mahbub ul Haq Award for Outstanding Contribution to Human Development.
Also responsible for making the Planning Commission of Pakistan a proper institute.
Also responsible for making the Planning Commission of Pakistan a proper institute.
Fazlur Rahman Malik (1919-88)
Scholar, philosopher and reformer of Islam.
Exiled for his progressive thinking.
Advocated a move away from dogmatic conservative systems of religion.
Still considered one of the finest modernist scholars of Islam.
Scholar, philosopher and reformer of Islam.
Exiled for his progressive thinking.
Advocated a move away from dogmatic conservative systems of religion.
Still considered one of the finest modernist scholars of Islam.
Ghulam Ahmad Pervez (1903-1985).
Another modernist, socialist scholar. Live student of Iqbal & Jinnah's close associate.
Wrote several books on Islam, Quranic tafseer, critique of West and conservative Mullahs
Ostracised in life but his work left its influence over others.
Another modernist, socialist scholar. Live student of Iqbal & Jinnah's close associate.
Wrote several books on Islam, Quranic tafseer, critique of West and conservative Mullahs
Ostracised in life but his work left its influence over others.
Kishwar Naheed (1940-)
Poet, activist, feminist.
Has 12 volumes of poetry.
Was writing about women's struggles before others.
Advocate of poetry based on society and politics.
One of the last few remaining champions of peace in South Asia.
Poet, activist, feminist.
Has 12 volumes of poetry.
Was writing about women's struggles before others.
Advocate of poetry based on society and politics.
One of the last few remaining champions of peace in South Asia.
Yasmeen Lari (1941-)
Pakistan's first famous female architect.
Social activist.
Pioneered a new design philosophy.
Involved in heritage work. Saved Sethi Mohallah Peshawar from ruin.
Wrote on slum issues and created illustrated guides to the great cities of Lahore and Karachi.
Pakistan's first famous female architect.
Social activist.
Pioneered a new design philosophy.
Involved in heritage work. Saved Sethi Mohallah Peshawar from ruin.
Wrote on slum issues and created illustrated guides to the great cities of Lahore and Karachi.
Arif Hasan (1943-)
Another architect. Social researcher and thinker.
Along with a successful career in design, he also pioneered the concepts of urban planning, change and participatory development.
Awarded and celebrated both within and outside Pakistan.
Another architect. Social researcher and thinker.
Along with a successful career in design, he also pioneered the concepts of urban planning, change and participatory development.
Awarded and celebrated both within and outside Pakistan.
Mubarak Ali (1941-)
Historian, activist and columnist.
Took on the arduous task of studying our history textbooks.
One of the first people to recognize state propaganda and malice in our school curriculum.
Wrote comprehensive histories of Ancient and Medieval South Asia,
Historian, activist and columnist.
Took on the arduous task of studying our history textbooks.
One of the first people to recognize state propaganda and malice in our school curriculum.
Wrote comprehensive histories of Ancient and Medieval South Asia,
Ahmad Hasan Dani (1920-2009)
Archaeologist, historian and linguist.
An authority on Indus Valley Civilization. Was one of the 1st to discover IVC's trade with other ancient nations
Responsible for introducing Archaeology as a discipline in Pak
Was fluent in nearly 35 languages.
Archaeologist, historian and linguist.
An authority on Indus Valley Civilization. Was one of the 1st to discover IVC's trade with other ancient nations
Responsible for introducing Archaeology as a discipline in Pak
Was fluent in nearly 35 languages.
Studied Pakistan's role in Silk Road.
Strongly believed in Pakistan's deep connection to Central Asia and wrote detailed books showing our history.
Was awarded highest prizes by Germany, France, Italy, UNESCO and Bangladesh.
Strongly believed in Pakistan's deep connection to Central Asia and wrote detailed books showing our history.
Was awarded highest prizes by Germany, France, Italy, UNESCO and Bangladesh.
Nabi Bakhsh Khan Baloch (1917-2011)
King of Sindhology and expert at history, anthropology, musicology, folkore and many others.
Translated and edited iconic works of Sindhi. Created whole dictionaries.
More than 100 written works covering all aspects of Sindh and beyond.
King of Sindhology and expert at history, anthropology, musicology, folkore and many others.
Translated and edited iconic works of Sindhi. Created whole dictionaries.
More than 100 written works covering all aspects of Sindh and beyond.
Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi (1903-81)
Freedom activist, historian and political scientist.
Pioneer of historical studies in Pakistan. Undertook the first serious attempt to write on this country's messy past.
One of the leading authorities on Pakistani history.
Freedom activist, historian and political scientist.
Pioneer of historical studies in Pakistan. Undertook the first serious attempt to write on this country's messy past.
One of the leading authorities on Pakistani history.
K.K. Aziz (1927-2009)
Historian and critic.
Wrote "The Murder of History", one of the biggest critiques of textbook histories in Pakistan.
Also worked on the history of Punjab, British Imperialism, 1971 Civil War.
Was not afraid to speak truth even against dictators.
Historian and critic.
Wrote "The Murder of History", one of the biggest critiques of textbook histories in Pakistan.
Also worked on the history of Punjab, British Imperialism, 1971 Civil War.
Was not afraid to speak truth even against dictators.
Akbar S Ahmed (1943-)
Diplomat, author, anthropologist.
Considered one of the biggest global authorities on Contemporary Islam and social anthropology.
Wrote detailed books on Pakistani and Pashtun societies, terrorism and Islam.
Wrote the screenplay for Jinnah (1998 film).
Diplomat, author, anthropologist.
Considered one of the biggest global authorities on Contemporary Islam and social anthropology.
Wrote detailed books on Pakistani and Pashtun societies, terrorism and Islam.
Wrote the screenplay for Jinnah (1998 film).
Nighat Said Khan (1940s-)
Scholar, writer, activist, feminist
Heads one of the most independent research institutes of Pakistan. Socialist.
Writing on feminism in Pakistan before it was mainstream
Renowned internationally as an expert on peasant movements, conflict and peace etc
Scholar, writer, activist, feminist
Heads one of the most independent research institutes of Pakistan. Socialist.
Writing on feminism in Pakistan before it was mainstream
Renowned internationally as an expert on peasant movements, conflict and peace etc
Fahmida Hussain (1948-)
Writer, linguist, translator.
Expert in literature, anthropology and women studies.
Wrote works on Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai's poetry and Sindhi language.
Writer, linguist, translator.
Expert in literature, anthropology and women studies.
Wrote works on Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai's poetry and Sindhi language.
Ayesha Jalal (1950s-)
Historian, critic.
Leading authority on South Asia.
Work on Muslim identity, SA divide, Partition and Military rule.
Highly regarded globally.
Not as neglected as the other intellectuals discussed, but doesn't receive as much attention as she ought to.
Historian, critic.
Leading authority on South Asia.
Work on Muslim identity, SA divide, Partition and Military rule.
Highly regarded globally.
Not as neglected as the other intellectuals discussed, but doesn't receive as much attention as she ought to.
Tariq Rahman (1949-)
Master Linguist, scholar, columnist
A rare scholar who has consistently studied languages in Pakistan and their political effect
Showed how English and Urdu have damaged other local languages through what he called "Language Imperialism".
Globally awarded.
Master Linguist, scholar, columnist
A rare scholar who has consistently studied languages in Pakistan and their political effect
Showed how English and Urdu have damaged other local languages through what he called "Language Imperialism".
Globally awarded.
Ardeshir Cowasjee (1926-2012)
Columnist, activist, humanist.
Was not afraid to question corruption & incompetence by any power group.
Whistle-blowing before it was cool.
Refused to be silenced by Mullahs.
Witty af writer (see his Dawn archives)
His foundation helped many.
Columnist, activist, humanist.
Was not afraid to question corruption & incompetence by any power group.
Whistle-blowing before it was cool.
Refused to be silenced by Mullahs.
Witty af writer (see his Dawn archives)
His foundation helped many.
Rubina Saigol (1940s-)
Researcher, writer, activist.
Authority on Women and Gender studies in Pakistan.
Renowned expert on gender, ethnicity, social development, education among others.
Known for working independently and without external constraints on her work.
Researcher, writer, activist.
Authority on Women and Gender studies in Pakistan.
Renowned expert on gender, ethnicity, social development, education among others.
Known for working independently and without external constraints on her work.
Farzana Bari
Academic, activist, politician, avowed feminist.
Pioneer of Gender Studies in Pakistan
Consistent and fearless fighter against all conservative systems which hurt women.
Many privileged conservatives feel threatened by her championing of human and women rights.
Academic, activist, politician, avowed feminist.
Pioneer of Gender Studies in Pakistan
Consistent and fearless fighter against all conservative systems which hurt women.
Many privileged conservatives feel threatened by her championing of human and women rights.
Fouzia Saeed (1959-)
Activist, folk culture expert, commentator and writer.
Wrote the most comprehensive book on prostitution in Pakistan.
Works with Lok Virsa.
Spent her career fighting for women across a range of places from debt bondage, sexual harassment and many more.
Activist, folk culture expert, commentator and writer.
Wrote the most comprehensive book on prostitution in Pakistan.
Works with Lok Virsa.
Spent her career fighting for women across a range of places from debt bondage, sexual harassment and many more.
Akbar Zaidi
Political economist, researcher.
Has written the most detailed and extensive on Pakistan's Economy (used everywhere from Cambridge to Columbia)
Global Authority on Pakistan's political economy and social structures.
Independent researcher. Also writes for DAWN.
Political economist, researcher.
Has written the most detailed and extensive on Pakistan's Economy (used everywhere from Cambridge to Columbia)
Global Authority on Pakistan's political economy and social structures.
Independent researcher. Also writes for DAWN.
Hanif Ramay (1930–2006)
Journalist, painter, politician.
Founder of PPP.
One of the leading leftist thinker of 20th century Pakistan.
Took exile during Zia era.
Wrote on why Pakistan needed socialism. His most famous work is Punjab ka Muqadma.
Journalist, painter, politician.
Founder of PPP.
One of the leading leftist thinker of 20th century Pakistan.
Took exile during Zia era.
Wrote on why Pakistan needed socialism. His most famous work is Punjab ka Muqadma.
Muhammad Zafarullah Khan (1892-1985)
Freedom fighter, diplomat, jurist, scholar.
Jinnah's close associate.
Only Pakistani to preside over UN GA and ICJ.
First FM of Pakistan and the one responsible for our state's clear-cut Pro-Palestinian policy.
Represented Palestine in UN.
Freedom fighter, diplomat, jurist, scholar.
Jinnah's close associate.
Only Pakistani to preside over UN GA and ICJ.
First FM of Pakistan and the one responsible for our state's clear-cut Pro-Palestinian policy.
Represented Palestine in UN.
Feroz Ahmad (1940-97)
Scholar, activist, writer.
Known for his famous advocacy against atrocities in 1971 War by the state.
Wrote Samraj aur Pakistan, one of the earliest works studying imperialism, colonialism, exploitation and Pakistan's relationship with the Middle East.
Scholar, activist, writer.
Known for his famous advocacy against atrocities in 1971 War by the state.
Wrote Samraj aur Pakistan, one of the earliest works studying imperialism, colonialism, exploitation and Pakistan's relationship with the Middle East.
Tariq Ali (1943-)
Novelist, scholar, historian, activist.
Pioneer of New-Left.
Leading authority on Post-colonialism, Marxism and Social Movements.
Inspired songs of bands like Beatles and Rolling Stones.
Was once caught in Latin America for being a revolutionary dissident.
Novelist, scholar, historian, activist.
Pioneer of New-Left.
Leading authority on Post-colonialism, Marxism and Social Movements.
Inspired songs of bands like Beatles and Rolling Stones.
Was once caught in Latin America for being a revolutionary dissident.
Arguably more international than Pakistani.
Has written on Pakistan's military, state and democracy.
Amongst the finest and persistent critics of the modern neoliberal order.
Celebrated across the Global Left and academia.
Has written on Pakistan's military, state and democracy.
Amongst the finest and persistent critics of the modern neoliberal order.
Celebrated across the Global Left and academia.
