Services To The Cause of Creation of Pakistan of Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb Former Wali of Swat State. September 14, 2020, (2020-8)

 

Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb was born on the 5th of June 1908 in Saidu Sharif, Swat to Miangul Abdul Wadood, who himself was the grandson of the Akhund of Swat, locally known as Saidu Baba, a sufi saint who was held in very high regard and respect in the area. In 1917 Swat became a formal Princely State, one of about 560 states in the then British India, with Miangul Abdul Wadood being appointed as the ruler under the title of The Wali Of Swat. Miangul Jahanzeb went to the Islamia Collegiate in Peshawar for his education and after receiving his FA degree in 1926 he was called back by his father, to assist in the administration of Swat State, In the same year the British Indian Government accorded official recognition to Swat State. In 1933 Miangul Jahanzeb was appointed the Heir Apparent (Crown Prince) by his father and was so recognized by a ceremony attended by the British Political Agent. After that Miangul Jahanzeb was made the head of the State Armed Forces and handed over Executive Authority of the State. After 1940, it was clear that The Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was determined to create a independent Muslim State and he needed all types of resources and help from all segments of the Muslim population of the then India.

In 1947, on the appeal of The Quaid, The State of Swat donated the sum of Rupees Four lacs to the cause of the Referendum that was to be held in the then North West Frontier Province in July of that year. In acknowledgement of this contribution The Quaid wrote a letter of appreciation to the Wall of Swat dated 28th July 1947, the exhibit of which is attached. Upon the creation of Pakistan, The Quaid once again appealed to the Wali of Swat for funds to which the State of Swat responded by given a handsome donation, which is also acknowledged by The Quaid in his letter dated 2nd October 1947. This cash donation was also accompanied by material in the form of blankets for the Muhajareen.

Pakistan had inherited an ill equipped armed forces and the need to buy weapons was the dire need of the hour and as such the Government of Pakistan once again appealed to Swat State for help. In return The Wali of Swat donated the equivalent of British Pounds 12,000 towards the purchase of the most advanced fighter aircraft at the time, called FURY, for induction in the Royal Pakistan Air Force. The aircraft was subsequently named JAHANZEB. The letter of acknowledgement of the then Secretary of Defence of the Government of Pakistan is attached.

In December 1949, Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb the crown prince, was elevated to be WALI of Swat upon the abdication of his father, and for the official recognition The then Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan was in attendance in Swat.

The State of Swat also sent a substantial force to make up the lashkar for the liberation of Kashmir for which The Wali was given the award of Ghazi e Millat.

The Wali upon the appeal of the government of NWFP also provided teaching staff for the schools and colleges in Peshawar.

The Wali of Swat also provided the forces of The Swat State Army to fight besides the Pakistan Army in the 1965 war with India.

For his services for Pakistan, The Wali of Swat was bestowed by the Government the awards of Hilal-e-Pakistan and the Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam.

For the services towards education the University of Peshawar bestowed upon The Wali the Hon Degree of Doctor of Laws.

In July 1969, the State of Swat was merged with the then NWFP and in September 1987, Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb passed away of natural causes.

On the services to the cause of creation of Pakistan of Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb Former Wali of Swat State, Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination September 14, 2020.