Abu Bakr Ahmad Haleem

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Abu Bakr Ahmad Haleem
Born1897
British India
Died(1975-04-20)20 April 1975
(78 or 79 years old)
Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan
NationalityPakistani
CitizenshipPakistan
Alma materPatna University
University of Oxford
Known forPakistan Movement and helped in establishing the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs
Scientific career
FieldsPolitical Science
InstitutionsKarachi University
Aligarh Muslim University
University of Oxford
Sindh University

Abu Bakr Ahmad Haleem (Urdu: ابو بكر احمد حليم; commonly known as A. B. A. Haleem) (1897 – 20 April 1975) was an influential and pioneering Pakistani political scientist and the first vice-chancellor of Karachi University in 1951 and served in that position for 6 years. Before that, he was appointed the first vice-chancellor of the University of Sindh in 1947 and served in that position for 4 years until 1951.[1] He spent most of his career teaching political science at the Karachi University and is regarded as having been "the influential political scientist" of Pakistan.[1]

Early life and career[edit]

Abu Bakr Ahmed Haleem was born in 1897 in Irki village in Bihar, British Indian Empire (now in India). There, he went to attend the Patna University where he secured his graduation with BA in political science, and later attaining MA in same discipline, also from Patna University.[2] Haleem went to England and attended the University of Oxford where he defended his doctoral thesis that allowed him to secure doctorate in political science from the University of Oxford and was called at Lincoln's Inn as Bar-at-law.[3] Upon returning to India, Haleem accepted the professorship in history at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) 1923. In 1944, he joined the Muslim League and took active participation in Pakistan Movement. At one point he reportedly told Muhammad Ali Jinnah: Mr. Jinnah, we are teaching history and you are making it."[4] In support of Jinnah, the AMU was also closed on 3 November 1941.[5] The University Muslim League also formed a writers committee under Professor A.B.A. Haleem which produced articles and pamphlets on Pakistan.[5]

After the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, Haleem was appointed the first Vice-Chancellor of Sindh University at the behest of Jinnah; later he would be ascended as the first Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University also, in 1951.[4] He left the post of Pro Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University to join as Vice- Chancellor of Sindh University in 1947. He was also elected to the house of central province on Muslim League ticket. He continued his teaching on political science at Karachi University until he was appointed leading member of Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) in 1965 by the Government of Pakistan.[1] In 1970, he became chairman of Pakistan Institute of International Affairs (PIIA) which he chaired until 1974. In 1975, he once returned to Karachi University to teach political science which he remained associated with until his death on 20 April 1975.[2]

His sons Muggan Haleem and Tariq Haleem are reputed entrepreneurs of Karachi. Tariq Haleem is Chairman of Standing Committee on Port Services and Shipping of Federation of Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FPCCI).

Death and legacy[edit]

He died on 20 April 1975 in Karachi. After his death, the Pakistan Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honor in its series, 'Men of Letters', on 20 April 2003.[1] One of his memorable speeches was to welcome Muhammad Ali Jinnah to an event. Professor Haleem reportedly said,"Mr. Jinnah, we are teaching history and you are making it."[4]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Profile of Professor A.B.A. Haleem". paknetmag.com website. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Profile of A. B. A. Haleem, Pakistan Institute of International Affairs website Retrieved 31 August 2019
  3. ↑ "Alumnus of Indian students at the Oxford University". Handbook of Indian students. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Hamza Usman (6 February 2012). "At Home Nowhere". Pakistan Tea House website. Archived from the original on 31 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Muhammad, Shan (2002). Education and politics : from Sir Syed to the present day : the Aligarh School. New Delhi: A.P.H. Pub. Corporation. p. 138. ISBN 8176482757.

Further reading[edit]

  • Dhulipala, Venkat (2011). Rallying around the Qaum: The Muslims of the United Provinces and the movement for Pakistan, 1935—1947. New Delhi: ProQuest, UMI Dissertation Publishing (2 September 2011). pp. 396 pages. ISBN 1243513144.
  • Hasan, Mushirul (1997). Legacy of a divided nation : India's Muslims since independence. Boulder: WestviewPress. p. 80. ISBN 0813333407.
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