Important Personalities From Chakwal

Dr Manmohan Singh, the current Prime Minister of India is from Gah in Chakwal. Bhaon is home to the Oberoi Hotels International family, multi-millionaires Oberoi. Famous Pakistani industrialists, Saigols, hail from a village called Saigolabad (Chakawal). The old city of Chakwal is home to the Khawjagan of Chakwal who own Chakwal Group of Industries. The history of Chakwal was shaped by the Chaudhris from Kot Sarfraz, and Kot Choudrain. They were Chiefs of MairMinhas tribe. The family has also produced many prominent personalities in politics, sports, and civil services. This long list includes many firsts, including General Muhammed Akbar Khan, the first general of the British-Indian or Pakistan Army. Since 1929, at least one member of the Punjab assembly has been a member of the family. 55 secretary in Pakistan, Raja Allah Dad Khan, Chakwal’s first MLA, Raja Muhammed Sarfraz Khan, first M.N.A and Senator, Sirdar Khizar Hayat Khan, first Chakwali Olympian to represent Pakistan, Col. Zafar Zafri, and the first District Nazim, Sirdar Ghulam Abbas Khan all belong to the same family of the ‘Mair-Chaudhris’. Raja Riaz Ahemad Khan, the Parlimentry leader of the Pakistan Peoples Party (Punjab), is also a member of the Chaudhry families of Chakwal, Begum Iffat Liaqat, and Nawabzada Shar Ali. Chakwal’s Qazi Qazi family is prominent in politics and education. Qazi Ghulam Ahmed Advocate was the first Muslim lawyer from Chakwal. During the struggle for independence, he was the most prominent figure in Muslim League. His speeches during independence struggle rallied the people of the region. He also took part in Tehrik-e-Khatm-e-Nabuwat with Pir Sahb Golra Sharif.

He was active in local politics, and served as Chairman of Town Committee. Justice Qazi Muhammad Gul was another prominent figure, an ex-judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He was also Chief Election Commissionar for Azad Kashmir and Federal Law Secretary. Qazi Ghulam Mahdi, Qazi Monzoor ul Haq and Qazi Maksood Ahmad have all made significant contributions to the education field. It is especially remarkable to see Qazi Maqsood Ahmed’s dedication in this area. Qazi Muhammad Amin, a well-known advocate for lawyers, was recently appointed Additional Advocate General Punjab. The Talagang Tehsil’s Tamman family, Sardars, and Awans are prominent personalities in the district. They have been part of the National Assembly ever since the creation Pakistan. Sardar Muhammed Hayat Tamman, a former advisior in the Bhutto era, was one of these people. Over the years, the local politics have been influenced by the Sardars of Dullah and chiefs of Kassar tribe. Sardar Muhammad Ashraf Khan, a provincial minster and MPA in the Ayub-Bhutto eras. Sirdar Khurram Naawab is currently an M.P.A. in Punjab. Chakwal is home to Ayaz Amir, an internationally recognized journalist. He is an environmentalist and progressive thinker. His articles are published in Pakistan’s leading newspaper Dawn. He is a regular guest on CNN and BBC and was a member of the Chakwal National Assembly. His father, Ch. Ameer Khan was also an eminent politician. In Chakwal, Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan, Pakistan’s president between 1969-1971 and the architect of Pakistan Civil War was born in 1917

• [[MIRZA SAR BULAND ALI KHAN)Pride of Performance (Presidential Award) holder

Sub. Abdul Khaliq (23 March 1933 – 10 March 1988), Fastest Man of Asia, Flying Bird of Asia, Olympian, Pride of Performance (Presidential Award) holder

• Ayaz Amir, journalist, columnist, and a senior politician
• Fozia Behram, politician
• Talib Chakwali (1900–1988), Indian Urdu poet
• Sadaf Hussain, cricketer
• Colonel Imam (died January 2011), member of Special Service Group (SSG) and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) of Pakistan Army
• Sardar Zulfiqar Ali Khan Dullah, politician
• Iftikhar Khan (10 January 1907 – 13 December 1949), designated to become the first Commander-in-Chief of Pakistan Army, died in air crash.
• Khudadad Khan (20 October 1888 – 8 March 1971), was the first South Asian recipient of the Victoria Cross.
• Muhammad Khan (1910 – 23 October 1999), writer and veteran of WW II
• Yahya Khan (4 February 1917 – 10 August 1980), third President of Pakistan
• Allah Bakhsh Malik, academic, researcher, development economist, social scientist, management and institutional development specialist
• Faiz Hameed, Director-General of Inter-Services Intelligence
• Madan Mohan, music director of India
• Malik Munawar Khan Awan, Major rank officer in the Pakistan Army
• Lt. General Abdul Qayyum, retired three-star General
• Raja Yasir Humayun Sarfraz, Minister of Education and IT, Punjab
• Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister of India
• Awais Zia, cricketer

In Chakwal, Agha Muhammad Yahya Khan, Pakistan’s president between 1969-1971 and the architect of Pakistan Civil War was born in 1917