Nawab Syed Asghar Abbas Zaidi (1918-2014)

Nawab Syed Asghar Abbas Zaidi was born in Miranpur India, son of Nawab Syed Saghir Hasan
and grandson of Nawab Syed Aulad Hussain, a descendant of Nawab Syed Miran of Miranpur,
of Sadat e Bahra. Miranpur was founded by Nawab Syed Miran in Tehsil Jansath in District
Muzaffarnagar UP India. Syed Miran was the grandson of powerful military general Syed
Masood (Hisamuddin) in King Akbar's rule. Syed Miran served as a mansabdar with five
thousand soldiers in the army of King Aurangzeb's empire. Sadats of Miranpur are the Chhatrodi
Zaidis descendants of Abul Fazail. Abul Fazail was one of the sons of Syed Abdullah Hussain
Abul Farah Wasti. Syed Abul Farah Wasti son of Syed Daud came to Ghazni first in Afghanistan
on the invitation of Mahmud Ghaznvi. Syed Abul Farah Wasti was a descendant of Zaid e
Shaheed son of Imam Zain ul Abideen (AS) son of Imam Hussain (AS), the grandson of Prophet
Muhammad (PBUH).
Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi was brought up by his respected parents, father Saghir Hasan and the
mother Kaneez Kubra in Miranpur, among the siblings, an elder sister Kaneez Sughra, three
older brothers Nasir Abbas, Haider Abbas, Muhammad Abbas and a brother younger than him
Moulana Ameer Abbas. The family lived in Miranpur, humble and courteous to relatives and
friends, and to community of diverse beliefs. From the early childhood, he was energetic and
proactive. Soon after he finished his primary and secondary education at Miranpur, he moved to
Delhi, the capital of undivided India. In Delhi, he continued his studies and graduated with
Adeeb Fazil and Munshi Fazil thus made him a scholar of Urdu and Persian languages.
Meanwhile he was also fluent in the English language.
This was an era when the Second World War ended and the freedom movement was at the peak.
In fact the freedom struggle started way earlier and his great grandfather was among those who
fought the British in 1857. He often narrated the story how the great grandfather fought and was
captured by the British. The British had to release him when people resisted and revolted against
the British army officers. Important events that transpired in the 1940s were that he got married
to Zahra Khatoon (popularly known as Apa/Baji Tayyaba) the only daughter of Syed Zulfiqar
Hussain of Miranpur. He started working for a private firm and later joined the Survey of India,
headquarters at Delhi. His first child, son Ahmad Abbas Zaidi was born in Delhi. Some of his
friends and relatives also moved to live in Delhi.
So much and so fast happened in 1940s, and the most historic event was that the free India
movement took another turn when in March 1940 at Lahore in Muslim League annual
convention Moulvi A. K. Fazl-ul-Haq, the then Chief Minister of Bengal, moved the historical
resolution now known as Pakistan Resolution, the Resolution demanded that Muslim States be
set up in Eastern and North-Western parts of India where Muslims could live in peace, lead an
independent life according to the principles of Islam and preserve their distinct civilization and
culture. Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah lead the millions with Allama Iqbal, Nawbzadah

Liaquat Ali Khan, Sardar Abdur Rab Nishtar and many more galvanized to the dream of a new
state that emerged on 14th of August 1947.
The dream of Allama Iqbal, vision of Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and joint efforts of
many Muslim leaders turned the independence movement into a heartbeat of millions, Asghar
Abbas Zaidi was among one of them who actively participated in the freedom movement. He
opted for the new nation Pakistan and moved to Murree hills where the only Directorate of the
Survey department, known as Frontier Circle existed which became the Survey of Pakistan. Soon
after arriving in Murree, was deputed to go to Karachi, capital of the new nation Pakistan and to
explore the possibilities of establishing an office in Karachi. In Karachi, he met Mirza Mumtaz
Hasan Qazilbash, he knew him from Delhi. Mr. Qazilbash was a bureaucrat in the Delhi
administration. Mr. Qazilbash was now the new Chief Minister of Khairpur Mirs, a princely state
in Pakistan. He persuaded Asghar Abbas Zaidi to move to Khairpur Mirs where many Muslims
from various provinces of former British India were settling down with their families.
Asghar Abbas Zaidi resigned from the Survey of Pakistan and now permanently settled in
Khairpur Mirs. From a bureaucrat turned into a business man by operating a business called
Zaidi Flour and Husking Mills. At the same time he was also busy helping family and others who
were coming to Khairpur Mirs to settle down with their dream come true for a new homeland. To
motivate, encourage and keep their spirits high, the State administration and Muslim League
were organizing large gatherings; He used to be one of the eloquent speakers. People also heard
him speak on the following Independence Day celebrations organized by the State
administration. This is the transitional period of the early 50s, Asghar Abbas Zaid was active
and making his presence known in the society that was evolving in Khairpur.
When the first Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawabzada Liaqaut Ali Khan visited Khairpur Mirs to
meet His Highness Mir Ali Murad Khan Talpur, a big reception was held and at that reception,
Nawbzadah Liaquat Ali Khan was introduced to old and new distinguished residents of the
Khairpur State. When Nawbzadah Liaquat Ali Khan asked Asghar Abbas Zaid about his former
residence in India, he told him about his town Miranpur and grandfather, Liaquat Ali Khan
spontaneously in front of all others responded saying that you are also a Nawab. Nawbzadah
Liaquat Ali Khan already knew about the dynasty of Nawab Miran of Miranpur and he had been
to places known as Sadat e Bahra. Then onwards, in Khairpur Mirs, Asghar Abbas Zaid was
always known as Nawab Sahib.
Soon Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi became a prominent figure in Khairpur State, to his business
he added a modern Saw Mill, a Caltex Petrol Pump and furniture making facility. This is the
period when new Pakistan was on the way of progress. There were no rifts among communities,
every one helping each other. All occasions and functions were celebrated happily and with
devotions by all the residents of Khairpur State. Suddenly a change occurred, in 1958, Ayub
Khan imposed a martial law in the country, Khairpur State was abolished and the growth and
progress of Khairpur not only declined but deteriorated. Though Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi was

lured into to join the Republican Party during President Gen. Iskander Mirza and Conventional
Muslim League in Gen Ayub Khan rule, government sponsored so called political parties but he
stayed away from them. Although the establishment was pro Ayub khan and favoured people
inclined towards Ayub khan, nevertheless he was always invited to participate in city affairs.
When President Gen Ayub Khan and Governor Amir Muhammad Khan (Nawab Kala Bagh)
visited Khairpur, Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi was among the prominent citizens to be invited by
the District administration to meet them and discuss the interests of Khairpur city.
By mid sixties Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi attention was shifting from business to agriculture.
First he acquired land in Ranipur and finding it hard to manage from Khairpur, started to
liquidate his business interests or sub-contracted them, eventually managed to shift agriculture
lands from Ranipur and close to Khairpur with an easy access by road. In 1962, he was among
very few in Khairpur who had a Messy Ferguson tractor and implements for semi-mechanized
farming. Asghar Abbas Zaidi also had the distinction who rode a horse on a regular basis to his
nearby farms. He was very passionate about farming, took care of everything related to farming
in detail. Showed them to other farmers, also helped others close by. He was the first to grow
sugarcane in the area and had a permanent Dera on his agricultural land. Asghar Abbas Zaidi
was one of the people who constantly reminded civil administration about water logging
problems in Khairpur area. Thanks to the Government of West Pakistan then who launched
Khairpur Ground water and Salinity Control Project West Pakistan with the association of
International Development Association.
Khairpur an emerging cosmopolitan city, a city with a population of people with different
languages, customs and cultures gathered here together after the creation of Pakistan. Khairpur
part of Sindh rich by itself in its own culture and language opened doors for many to be settled
here. In 1957 Rotary club of Sukkur saw a need of an organization in Khairpur for social and
community service activities, thus sponsored The Rotary Club of Khairpur. Asghar Abbas Zaid
served Rotary club of Khairpur as President, Secretary, Director and Chairman of many of its
committees, he was among the most prominent Rotarians of the Pakistan Rotary District and was
personally known among Rotarians from Peshawar to Karachi. He participated actively in Rotary
projects on city levels as well as Rotary International Pakistan District level. From the day he
joined Rotary until his death he was actively engaged to serve mankind. He was a Paul Harris
Fellow of the Rotary International Foundation and to honour his services Rotary International
Pakistan District Governor awarded him the Life time achievement award for being the longest
living as well as longest serving Rotarian in Pakistan.
However now inclined towards politics participated as an independent in the Basic Democracy
elections. In 1965, when Ayub Khan declared an election for the President under his Basic
Democracy Scheme, the opposition grew stronger to first his army rule and more now to him
becoming civilian President. Opponents like Khawaja Nazimuddin, Sardar Bahadur Khan,
Mumtaz Doltana, Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan and many more came together to form Council
Muslim League. In a meeting held at Dhaka, East Pakistan, Khawaja Nazimuddin was elected as

President of Council Muslim League, he steered other opposition parties to form a coalition, and
under that alliance known as COP, Combined Opposition Parties acquired the consent of Miss
Fatimah Jinnah to contest the Presidential Election against Ayub Khan.
Khawaja Nazimuddin with his entourage of politicians went around across the country to gear up
the support for Miss Fatimah Jinnah. When he came to Khairpur, he was received by Nawab
Asghar Abbas Zaid who was then City President of the Council Muslim League. A big reception
was held at The Circuit house Khairpur in the honour of Khawaja Nazimuddin, Sardar Bahadur
Khan, Mr. Jafar Khan Jamali and other prominent and distinguished leaders, followed by a big
public gathering at Phool Bagh in Khairpur. Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi as a City President
Council Muslim League presented the welcome address while the other leaders spoke about the
coalition aims and objectives for the contesting the Presidential elections by Miss Fatimah
Jinnah. In January 1965 indirect elections were held and for apparent reasons mainly
establishment interest, Fatimah Jinnah lost the election, the nation subdued but war against
India in September 1965 united the nation and gave Gen Ayub Khan another chance to hold on
to power. However it did not lost long, his foreign minister Mr. Zulfiqar Bhutto revolted against
him by disagreeing on the accord that Gen Ayub Khan signed with India to end the war. Other
political parties also started agitation against the rule of the Military dictator, the chaos turned
into another martial law again by a military Gen Yahya Khan imposed in March 1969.
The continuous unrest, processions and the new party PPP (Pakistan Peoples Party) founded by
Late Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, all agitating led Yahya Khan to become first the chief martial law
administrator and then the President. Gen Yahya Khan suspended the constitution, made some
changes in the bureaucracy and came out with an interim constitution and promised for an open
election for the first time on the basis of one man one vote. At this moment, there was a mad rush
to enter in the race of elections, more than twenty political parties, and numerous independent
candidates contesting but in fact only two parties either Pakistan Peoples Party under the
leadership of Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto or Awami League lead by Sheikh Mujib ur Rehman were
deep rooted in to the masses of West Pakistan and in East Pakistan. There was confusion in the
country, no one and even the rulers were not sure of decisive result of the election. In those
conditions, Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi decided to run as an independent for the West Pakistan,
Sindh provincial assembly. He secured a large number of urban votes and reasonable amount of
rural votes but not enough to win the elections.
Soon after the elections of 7th December 1970, the political crisis compounded by the heavy
floods in East Pakistan and war of 1971 when India with full martial power and support of Mukti
Bahini, the so called liberation forces confronted the Pakistan army. The politicians from both
East and West Pakistan remained rigid with no solution insight. Eventually in March 1971 East
Pakistan seceded to become Bangladesh. In such a state of affairs, the West Pakistan now the
only Pakistan, Gen Yahya Khan was replaced By Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto as President and chief
martial law administrator.

In Sindh, ethnic and linguistic differences were exploited by some politicians, Mr. Zulfiqar Ali
Bhutto who first invited Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi to join the Federal cabinet, sent him to
Karachi as the chief minister of Sindh. In 1973, Mr. Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi as chief minister Sind
and head of Peoples Party Sindh along with Mr. Hadi Bux Larik secretary general Peoples Party
Sindh and other distinguished Peoples Partys leader gathered in Khairpur to reorganize the
Peoples Party Khairpur city political structure. At this meeting, Asghar Abbas Zaidi was chosen
as the Peoples Party Khairpur city President. Asghar Abbas Zaidi served the people of Khairpur
and the party with passion and pride and for none so ever for any personal gains of any kind. In
1977 after the martial law of Gen. Zia ul Haq, though he was questioned for his role as city
President but his personal integrity was undaunted. Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi served people
without any prejudice and earned respect from people of all walks of life.
He was an eloquent speaker, he could deliver a speech spontaneously, and may it be social,
political or religious occasion. Since settling down in Khairpur at every Muharram Majalis were
held at his residence and the tradition continued until today. In the late 70s, while serving the
community through Jafri Association Khairpur, he raised considerable funds that helped to build
number of shops to the outer side of the Sultan ul Madaris Khairpur building. The rental revenue
from these shops raised additional funds to run this religious institution.
Instability, martial law after martial law, feudal and ethnic politics in the country did no good to
its citizens. Certain people benefited from the status co that prevailed in the country. Nawab
Asghar Abbas Zaidi retreated from political affairs but continued social and community service.
He once again was engaged in farming.
In 1980, his elder son Ahmad Abbas Zaidi returned from Canada after finishing his higher
studies in England and working for a short while in Canada. By now, almost all of his children,
two sons and five daughters finished their education; two of his daughters went into medical
profession. For a breather Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi decided to go to England, farming was his
passion so he wanted to see the farming process in U.K. He stayed there until the harvesting
season. While participating in the harvesting activities he was slightly hurt but not seriously.
Nobody in Pakistan knew about it until he returned and casually talked about it. Amazingly, he
brought back a bag full of English wheat seeds that were planted on his farm but the weather did
not complement it to grow those seeds in the heat of Sindh.
For Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi, 1982 was a very tragic year, few losses can be as heart-rending
as losing your spouse to death. How can anyone explain living without your life partner? Surely
to miss the closeness and warmth with each other, sharing the moments of joy, comforting each
other in sorrow and a helping hand in thick and thin will never be the same. Enduring the sorrow
was never easy nevertheless Asghar Abbas Zaidi soberly remained calm among his children and
the extended family.

Once again, Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi was busy raising funds for Jafri Association Khairpur,
this time to add a mezzanine floor to Jama Masjid to accommodate more people for prayers,
especially in Ramzan and other important occasions.
All of the children married and settled. Asghar Abbas Zaidi delegated all the farming tasks to his
younger son Nayyer Khurshid Zaidi. He now embarked on a sacred journey and first went to the
holiest places Mecca and Medina to perform Hajj followed by visits to Najaf, Karbala and
Mashhad to offer prayers at the holy shrines of Imam Ali A.S., Imam Hussain A.S. and his
companions and Imam Reza A.S.
Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi never considered retiring from active life, though he was in his late
eighties, he kept himself busy with some kind of work, and may it be religious, social,
community or family related. There was again a free eye camp sponsored by Rotary Club
Khairpur in Khairpur. In the evening after seeing the arrangements, while driving back home
near Mirwah Bridge, he bumped into a lamp post and got severely injured. He was treated for
head injury at the Civil Hospital Khairpur but family took him to Anklesaria Hospital, Karachi
for further treatment, he was discharged after few days with prescribed medicine, hoping to get
better soon, however after a month instead of improving his condition deteriorated. He was
rushed back to Karachi, and on arrival at the Anklesaria hospital, the Surgeon after seeing the
results of the CT scan right away decided to perform brain surgery. The blood around the brain
was accumulated so much that his life was in danger. After the operation and subsequently the
therapeutic treatment at the hospital and of course the prayers from family and friends, Nawab
Asghar Abbas Zaidi got a new life and amazingly lived on normally at Khairpur among family
and friends.
In the late 90s, Pakistan Red Crescent Society Sindh Provincial Branch and the District
administration under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner Mr. Younas Dagha launched a
project of Red Crescent Coronary Care Unit (CCU). Mr. Younas Dagha designated Nawab
Asghar Abbas Zaidi as the Honorary President to monitor the functions of this service. He served
on this project for almost a decade, a service rendered for the community of Khairpur.
Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi was always full of energy and never showed any sign of fatigue or
weakness due to old age. He carried on with his life and went from city to city by road, train or
airplane and visited his near ones and dear ones on happy occasions or sad occasions. He was
always there to cheer and comfort, no matter a young or old person. He was the oldest person
among them and they all respected him immensely.
At the end of summer season in 2003, Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi visited Calgary, a city in the
Alberta province of Canada. His elder son moved from U.A.E. to Calgary in mid 2000. The visit
of Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi was a special blessing for being present at the grand daughter
engagement in Calgary. On his journey to and fro from Pakistan to Canada, he briefly stayed in
London, England.

Once settled and lived in Khairpur, the place and people of Khairpur were very dear to him. He
remained active and involved with the community at large until his death in June 2014. Nawab
Asghar Abbas Zaidi was always available for advice, counsel and any sort of assistance to any
one needed personally or otherwise. Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidis services spanned for
generations, may they be for social, political or religious purposes. He was a man of vision and
accomplishments, a wonderful human being. He did the right thing wherever he could and
sometimes when it was very difficult to, he kept his family and community together. He was a
devout Muslim, so much so that in his nineties regular in his prayers and never ever willing to
give up fasting during Ramazans. During the holy month of Ramzan, he would recite the holy
book, the Quran several times. Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi just kept going though his
contemporaries had quit, he was so sound of body and mind, that it seemed that he just might
live forever. His legacy will be found in many civic and cultural institutions to which he gave so
much of himself.
Death is inevitable, whether willingly or unwillingly. Every one of us must depart. There is an
end to our stay in this world and a new beginning to eternal life, the Hereafter. Life on earth
remains for all its inhabitants a journey. Glory is to Thee. The Lord of the worlds who is the
Almighty God. Thy blessings are on the holy prophet Muhammad and his beloved descendants.
We pray to you our Lord, have mercy on Asghar Abbas Zaidi and rest his soul in eternal peace.
Ameen
Note: This biography is written by Ahmad Abbas Zaidi son of Late Nawab Syed Asghar Abbas Zaidi.
Few tributes and condolences messages received on the death of Nawab Asghar Abbas Zaidi.
Hilal Rizvi. Inna Lillahay wa Inna Elahay raje'oon. Allah Ta'ala unki Maghfirat Farmaye aur Jannat ul
Firdaus main a'ala Maqam Ata farmaye, Aameen, Meri aur Nazli ki Taraf say Dili ta'aziat qubool
Farmayen, Allah Ta'ala aap ko aur Tamam Ahl o ayal ko sabr e jameel ata Farmaye aur is azeem sanehay
ko bardasht Karnay ki Himmat aur Taqat ata Farmaye. Aameen
Past District Governor Rotary International District 3271 Late. Dr Ali Akhtar. Dear Ahmed Bhai, I
am deeply grieved. He was a great human being, and of course a great dedicated Rotarian. May Allah
grant him a chosen place in the Jannah, and give you and all the family members courage to bear this
irreplaceable loss. Aameen!
Azhar Rizvi. Heartfelt condolences Ahmad Bhai. Uncle was great person and a wonderful human being,
May Allah reward him with Janatul Firdaus - Ameen
Hasan Nawab. He was a great man. Who lived a full life and was well known and well respected. May
Allah rest his soul in peace?