Ahmad Bashir

Ahmad Bashir was a Pakistani writer, journalist, intellectual, and film director. He left a lasting legacy through his literary contributions and his role in the development of Urdu journalism.

Early life and education

Ahmad Bashir was born on 24 March 1923 in Eminabad, which is located near Gujranwala in Punjab. He belonged to a Kashmiri ethnic background. After completing his studies, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Srinagar. He later moved to Bombay to pursue a career in acting. This period did not last long because he soon began writing for film magazines instead. Following the formation of Pakistan in 1947, he returned to Punjab to settle permanently.

Career

Bashir worked for various newspapers in Pakistan after the independence of 1947. He is most famously remembered for his tenure at the Urdu-language daily newspaper Imroze. While serving as a sub-editor at Imroze, he introduced feature writing to the Urdu press for the first time. His professional connections included friendships with Urdu writers Mumtaz Mufti and Ibn-e-Insha. According to historical records, Mumtaz Mufti assisted him in joining the now defunct Daily Imroze.

He also received specialized training in film direction from Hollywood through a state scholarship. During the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto regime, Bashir held positions at the National Film Development Corporation (NAFDEC) and the Department of Films & Publications. He resigned from these roles after General Zia-ul-Haq imposed martial law in 1977. This era brought significant hardships for him because he was never allowed to write columns in newspapers.

In 1969, he directed and produced the Urdu film Neela Parbat. Although it is considered one of Pakistan's early experimental feature films, it failed at the box-office. The film offered an alternative genre that did not resonate with audiences at that time. Bashir never returned to film production or filmmaking after this failure.

As a portrait writer, he captured the essence of many literary figures. His book Jo Milay Thay Raaste Mein contains pen sketches of personalities such as Meeraji and Kishwar Naheed. He also authored the autobiographical novel Dil Bhatkey Ga. Other figures featured in his sketches include Mumtaz Mufti, Krishan Chandar, Chiragh Hasan Hasrat, and Hasrat Mohani.

Personal life

Bashir was married to Mehmooda, who had been his partner since 1947. He was the father of several prominent television artists. His children include Humayun Sheikh, Bushra Ansari, Asma Abbas, Sumbul Shahid, and the poet Neelam Bashir. His sister was Begum Parveen Atif, an Urdu short story writer and columnist. She also wrote travelogues in both Urdu and Punjabi.

He died in Lahore on 25 December 2004. He was 81 years old when liver cancer claimed his life.

Awards and recognition

The President of Pakistan honored him with the Pride of Performance Award in 1994.