Allah Bakhsh Gabol
Khan Bahadur Allah Bakhsh Gabol (Urdu: خان بهادرالله بخش گبول ) (Born 15th August 1895) was a political leader of the 20th century, and an exponent of the Pakistan Movement from Sindh [1]. He owned a considerable portion of land in Karachi, including the area of Lea Market and the stretch of land where Safoora Goth, Abdullah Gabol Goth, Chutta Khan Goth and Gadap now exist. He also possessed the land where Gabol Town and Jinnah International Airport are established present times. Allah Bakhsh Gabol was the son of a landlord Khudadad Khan Gabol, and the grand father of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Nabil Gabol[2].
Contents |
[edit] Political life
Allah Bakhsh Gabol had the honour of being the first Deputy Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, after the imposition of Government of India Act 1935 [3]. He defeated Haji Sir Abdullah Haroon in 1937 in the first election after Sindh was separated from Bombay. He was also twice elected the Mayor of the then Karachi Municipal Corporation in 1953 and 1962. It is now the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. [4]. Due to his outstanding status, he was awarded the title of Khan Bahadur by the British Empire and, after the partition of India and Pakistan he was awarded the Sitara i Imtiaz by President Ayub Khan in 1966. Thus, he was considered to be an influential politician of Karachi of his times.[1].
Apart from these he had held several honorary positions such as Trustee of Karachi Port, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of Civil Hospital Karachi, Advisor to the Government of Pakistan during the 1950s Vice, Vice President of Sindh Madrassah and S. M College, President of Karachi Race Club, and Honorary First Class Magistrate with summary powers. These are just a few of his many accomplishments.
Later, his son Abdul Sattar Gabol and grandson Sardar Nabil Ahmed Gabol have carried on his legacy.
[edit] Social work
During his lifetime Allah Bakhsh Gabol donated vast areas of land to the poor, especially the Baloch of Karachi and Sindh. There are still many schools and cultural centres in his name that exist today, including the famous Gabol Football Park.[2]
Being Honorary Secretary and Treasurer of Civil Hospital Karachi, Karachi Haj Committee, Mohatta Eye Hospital, Member of Managing Committee of Lady Dufferin Hospital and of course as Mayor and Member of Sindh Assembly he was able contribute tremendously towards charitable causes.
[edit] Baloch League
There have been considerable efforts in Karachi for upheaval of Baloch national consciousness. Karachi is not only the cradle of the modern Balochi literary movement, but also the centre to uphold the modern Baloch political trends. Simultaneous with formation of the Anjuman, the Baloch literary class in Karachi formed a nationalist organisation, called the Baloch League. Gholam Mohammad Noor ud-Din, educated from Bombay, was appointed as its president. The other members of its leadership were: Waja Omar Bakhsh Sabera, a famous merchant, Maolavi Mohammad Osman, Mehrab Khan, Issa Khan, Maolavi Abdul Samad Sarbazi, Khan Sahib Osman, Pir Bakhsh Shahdad and Allah Bakhsh Gabol.[3] In its annual conference in 1930, the League condemned Magasi's imprisonment and openly demanded his immediate release from the British authorities. In the late 1930s, after his graduation from Aligarh University, the legendary nationalist leader, Ghaus Bakhsh Bizenjo also joined the League.
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- [www.facebook.com/nabeel.gabol]
- Provincial Assembly of Sindh
- BalochNationalismitsOriginandDevelopment.pdf
- http://www.albloushi.net/baloosh/baloosh4.htm
- http://www.ansab-online.com/phpBB2/archive/index.php?t-1824.html
- Sindh Government website
- "Preserving History", Dawn 2007
| Preceded by Sardar Khudadad Khan Gabol |
Head of Gabol Tribe – |
Succeeded by Nabeel Gabol |
