National Literary Reference in Memory of late Sardar Abdul

Qayyum Khan held at Preston University Islamabad

Preston University, in collaboration with the Archaeological and Historical Association of Pakistan, organized a National Literary Reference in memory of late Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, former President and Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The referenced event was held at the Islamabad Campus of Preston University in July 2015. The Literary Reference was chaired by Sardar Atique  Ahmed Khan, the illustrious son of late Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan and former Prime Minister of AJK. Eminent among those who were conspicuous by their presence  and spoke on the occasion were Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq, Leader of the House in the Senate of Pakistan, Dr. Abdul Basit, Chancellor Preston University and Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi, Chairman Archaeological and Historical Association of Pakistan. Educationists, intellectuals, and senior faculty, senior management and students of Preston University participated in the event in large numbers.

In his address on the occasion, Senator Raja Muhammad Zafar-ul-Haq paid glowing tributes to late Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, former President and PM of AJK. He said, because of his extraordinary political acumen, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan was an asset not only for Kashmir but for the entire Muslim Ummah. He was one of those stars among the galaxy of stars that was followed by all nations endeavoring to set their goals for progress. He said, not only the Mujahedeens of AJK but also those belonging to occupied Kashmir always sought his guidance in matters of perennial importance. Senator Raja Zafar-ul-Haq further said that late Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan was a man of principles. His love particularly for the downtrodden people of  AJK has been exemplary.    

Addressing the distinguished gathering present at the Literary Reference Senator Pervaiz Rasheed, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting said Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan has left an indelible mark on the Kashmir movement. He was a man of remarkable traits and it would not only be difficult but also unjust to confine him to a specific class of people.   He was not only an outstanding political and spiritual leader but also a remarkable human being.

Speaking on the occasion, Sardar Atique Ahmed Khan former Prime Minister AJK at the outset expressed his profound gratitude to the Chancellor of Preston University, Dr. Abdul Basit and Chairman AHAP, Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi for organizing a Literary Reference in memory of his late father. He also thanked the illustrious speakers who shed light on the life and achievements of  Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan and paid glowing tributes to him. Talking about his late father, Sardar Atique said that despite always being in high positions, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan lived a down-to-earth life. He never let his position overshadow his in-born qualities of truthfulness and forthrightness. His love for people belonging particularly to the subjugated segment of the society has been immense. Sardar Atique Ahmed Khan said that the contribution of Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan towards raising the literacy rate in Azad Kashmir was also incomparable. He said, in 1970 the literacy rate in Azad Kashmir stood at only 6 percent, whereas, according to latest reports, the literacy rate in AJK today stands at 72 percent. The credit of the monumental increase in the literacy rate in AJK also goes to Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan.    

In their brief remarks on the occasion, Dr. Abdul Basit, Chancellor Preston University, Dr. Ghazanfar Mehdi, Chairman Archaeological and Historical Association Association of Pakistan, Raja Yasin Khan, former minister AJK, paid glowing tributes to late Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan. They said leaders like Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan are born in centuries. His contribution towards the Kashmir movement has been tremendous. His love for the people of Azad Kashmir in particular and the humanity in general has no parallel in recent times. They said late Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan will be remembered by all those who admired him for a long, long time to come. Others who spoke on the occasion were Sardar Sagheer Chughtai, Abdul Majid Amjad, Mr. Naeem Qureshi and Dr. Riaz Ahmed.