Mian Iftikharuddin

Mian Iftikharuddin was a Pakistani politician and journalist who actively participated in the political movements of British India and the early years of Pakistan. He served as a minister in the Punjab provincial government and founded The Pakistan Times newspaper to promote leftist views. His political journey saw him transition from the Indian National Congress to the All-India Muslim League.

Early life and education

Mian Iftikharuddin was born on 8 April 1907 in Baghbanpura, Lahore. He belonged to the wealthy Arain Mian family, which served as the custodians of the Shalimar Gardens. His relatives included Sir Mian Muhammad Shafi and Sir Mian Abdul Rashid.

He received his education at Aitchison College before attending the University of Oxford. These academic foundations prepared him for his future roles in public service and political leadership.

Career

Iftikharuddin joined the Indian National Congress in 1936. He was elected to the Punjab Provincial Assembly in 1937 and later became the President of the Punjab Provincial Congress in 1940. During his tenure, he remained a member of the All India Congress Committee until the mid-1940s. He maintained a close relationship with Jawaharlal Nehru and helped introduce Sheikh Abdullah to him in 1937.

Although he initially opposed the Lahore Resolution, he began supporting C. Rajagopalachari's formula for Pakistan by 1942. In 1945, he resigned from the Congress Party to join the All-India Muslim League. According to scholar Asdar Ali, his decision was influenced by colleagues in the Communist Party of India who advocated for Muslim self-determination.

After joining the Muslim League in September 1945, he used his ancestral home in Baghbanpura to train the Muslim League National Guards. He led a civil disobedience movement against the Unionist government of Khizar Hayat Tiwana and was elected to the Punjab Provincial Assembly again in 1946. Following the independence of Pakistan in 1947, he became the first president of the Punjab Provincial Muslim League. He also served as the Provincial Minister for Rehabilitation of Refugees in Punjab.

Iftikharuddin played a significant role in the Kashmir conflict during 1947. He traveled to Srinagar to assess the situation and reportedly met with General Akbar Khan to discuss plans regarding the region. According to Sardar Ibrahim, Iftikharuddin provided sympathy and assistance to the rebellion in Poonch. He also attempted to persuade Sheikh Abdullah to accede to Pakistan in October 1947, but the mission failed when Muhammad Ali Jinnah refused to meet Abdullah.

As a minister in 1949, he proposed radical land reforms in Punjab. This proposal caused a backlash from feudal leaders like Nawab Iftikhar Hussain Khan Mamdot, leading to his resignation in 1949. He was formally expelled from the Muslim League in 1951. Later, he formed the Azad Pakistan Party to promote liberal secularism and was also associated with the National Awami Party.

He founded The Pakistan Times to provide a leftist alternative to the Dawn newspaper and the Hindu press. The publication attracted notable figures such as its first editor, Faiz Ahmad Faiz. However, the government took over the newspaper in 1959 following the military takeover by Ayub Khan. Iftikharuddin failed to regain ownership or receive compensation after a legal challenge.

Personal life

Mian Iftikharuddin was married to Begum Ismat Iftikharuddin. According to writer Abdul Haq Suharwardy, the couple were related to General Akbar Khan's wife, Nasim Shahnawaz. They resided in a mansion at 21 Aikman Road that they purchased from the Raja of Mandi.

The couple had three children named Sohail Iftikhar, Arif Iftikhar, and Seema Iftikhar. He died on 6 June 1962 at the age of 54 after suffering a heart attack.