Altaf Husain

Altaf Husain was a prominent journalist, educationist, and activist for the Pakistan Movement. He served as the founding editor and first editor-in-chief of the English-language newspaper Dawn. His influential career spanned several decades of political transition in South Asia.

Early life and education

Husain was born on 26 January 1900 in Deogaon, Kulaura, within the Moulvibazar District. He belonged to a family of Bengali Muslim zamindars, and his father was Ahmad Ullah. After he completed his initial studies at Murari Chand College in Sylhet, he moved to Calcutta to attend the University of Calcutta. He studied the English language there and earned a BA in English.

He later relocated to Dhaka to pursue further academic goals. At Dhaka University, he studied English Literature before he earned an MA in English from the University of Dhaka in 1923.

Career

Following his graduation, Husain joined the Kolkata Municipal government. He served as the Director of Public Information from 1942 until 1943. He later accepted a position as a press adviser for the Indian Ministry of Information. Although he worked for the Indian government, he wrote political articles for the Statesman in Calcutta. He used the pen name Ain-el-Mulk to write a fortnightly column titled "Through the Muslim Eyes."

He eventually left the Indian Ministry of Information to write a different column. This new piece, titled "Dar-el-Islam," appeared in the Statesman under the pseudonym Shaheed. He also contributed columns to the Star of India during this period. His incisive writing attracted the attention of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, who requested a meeting at his Mumbai residency. Jinnah subsequently asked him to become the editor-in-chief of Dawn, a newspaper founded by the leader in 1945.

Husain first took over the office in Delhi in 1944 to begin printing Dawn. As the editor-in-chief, he became a member of Jinnah's close circle of advisers. He played a vital role in the success of the Pakistan Movement through his editorial work. After the establishment of Pakistan, he moved his senior staff from Delhi to Karachi. He continued his editorship of Dawn in Karachi from 1947 until 1965.

His influence remained significant as one of the most powerful voices outside the government. While he defended the rights of East Pakistan, he strongly opposed its separation from the country. He also shared his expertise with students by joining the journalism faculty at Karachi University. In 1943, he translated the poems Shikwa and Jawab-e-Shikwa by Muhammad Iqbal into rhymed English verse.

In 1965, President Ayub Khan invited Husain to join the government. He accepted this invitation and was appointed as the Industry Minister of Pakistan. In this role, he oversaw the processes of privatisation and rapid industrialisation. He held this ministerial position until 1968, when he resigned because of poor health.

Personal life

Husain died on 25 May 1968, only 10 days after his resignation from the ministry. He was buried with state honours at the Model Colony cemetery. A street in Karachi where Dawn was first published is currently named Altaf Husain Road.

Awards and recognition

The Government of Pakistan recognised his services during a public ceremony in 1959. He was conferred with the Hilal-e-Pakistan award at that time.