Malik Ata Muhammad Khan

Malik Ata Muhammad Khan ملک عطا محمد خان
Born	(1941-10-25) 25 October 1941
Other names	Prince Malik Ata, Prince Malik
Education	LLB from Oxford University, Oxford, England
Occupation(s)	Landlord, Tent pegger
Title	President of The World Equestrian Tent Pegging Federation

Malik Ata Muhammad Khan (Urdu, Punjabi: ملک عطا محمد خان, born 25 October 1941) is a prominent feudal lord of Kot Fateh Khan in Attock District of North Western Punjab, Pakistan.

Family background

Malik Ata Muhammad Khan was born to a prominent politically active family of the Rajput Jodhra tribe having strong relations with Mughal Ghebas of Fateh jang and kalan shahi Awan tribe of Mianwali District of Pakistan. His father Malik Yar Muhammad Khan was a well known personality of Pindi Gheb Jodhras. His maternal grandfather Sardar sir Muhammad Nawaz Khan Gheba was a member of Punjab Legislative Assembly from 1947 to 1950. He was the first ambassador of Pakistan in France. He purchased the building from his own pocket and gifted it to Pakistan and the embassy is still is in that building. His maternal uncle Malik Amir Muhammad Khan Awan of Kalabagh, was Governor of West Pakistan from 1960 to 1966. His cousin Ch. Sher Ali Khan is still a member of Punjab Assembly. Malik Ata Muhammad Khan married into the Nawab of Kalabagh's family.

Malik Ata at the International Tent pegging Championship 2013, Faisalabad

Educational qualifications

Malik Ata Muhammad Khan got his early education from the Aitchison College Lahore, did his FSC from the Forman Christian College, Lahore and thereafter proceeded to England for LLB. He is an Oxford University law graduate. After his father’s death in 1996, he assumed the responsibilities of the family and management of the estate. He was not in a position to focus on the matters relating to the management of the estate, family issues and other matters and continue his participation in politics. His friends, who included Chaudhry Aitezaz Ahsan, Mir Zafar ullah Khan Jamali, Mir Taj Muhammad Jamali and Hamid Nasir Chatha who were also his class fellows, impressed upon him not to give up politics, but Malik Ata Muhammad Khan said that he held it more important to serve his people for their well-being as compared to politics.

Hobbies

Malik Ata Muhammad Khan has an internationally renowned stable in Kot Fateh Khan. Besides education, he was very fond of horse-riding and body building since his childhood. He has won world championship titles in tent pegging. In tent pegging, he has developed and mastered a unique style of riding that has been his hallmark in all the local and international festivals. Malik Ata has represented his country for these sports. Pakistan team, under his patronage takes part in international tent pegging events regularly. In 1982, he participated in the Ninth Asian Games held in Delhi, as captain of the Pakistan spear-

throwing team and succeeded in winning his session, attaining the world championship title. He has taken part in several other tournaments in Europe and South Africa. He was honored as the best horse rider in the National Horse and Cattle Show held in Lahore for several years. He is known as patron_in_chief of tent pegging and horse riding in Pakistan.

Tent pegging and bull race events are held at his home town Kot Fateh Khan regularly.

Media appearances

He was mentioned in Michael Palin's Himalaya production. He was also the subject of a short documentary produced by the BBC entitled "One Man and his Horse".

Malik Ata Muhammad Khan appeared in PTV's 1998 drama Alpha Bravo Charlie produced by ISPR and directed by Pakistani drama and film director Shoaib Mansoor.

Public image

Malik Ata Muhammad Khan is a famous celebrity around the world. His life style and unique dressage has made him famous. He travels around the world in Pakistani national dress including a turban made up of 7 yards cloth. Therefore his friends has bestowed him the title of "Prince" and he is known as Prince Malik. He states himself "The last of the dinosaurs". He is no doubt a dinosaur that will leave a legacy of a prince that has proudly maintained his ancestral legacy. A worldly intellectual human being, that not only cares for his people, but has a love affair with Pakistani culture and its traditions such as his passion for horses etc.

In Pakistan, contribution in tent pegging and specially his participation in PTV's 1998 drama Alpha Bravo Charlie has increased the dignity.

While he does not shy away from public dealings, Malik Ata is a private person and selective about his friends. In the company of his inner circle, he is a jolly and open person and being well-read and poetically inclined, would frequently quote appropriate verses from various poets and writers in English, Urdu or Punjabi to make his point. Being a renowned horse lover, most of his close friends share the same passion.

Photo gallery

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  Malik Ata Muhammad Khan, Nawab of Kot Fateh Khan
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  Malik Ata Muhammad Khan at Horse and Cattle Show Attock, 1982
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  Malik Ata with Amer Munawar and others in Brunei 1996
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  Malik Sher Afzal giving medal to Malik Ata Muhammad Khan at Attock Mela April, 2013
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  Malik Ata and Pak team at World Equestrian Championship India 2012
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  Malik Ata with one of his dancing horses at Kot Fateh Khan Mela 2008
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  Malik Ata, Mian Javed Akhtar, Ashraf Hayat Gondal, Ch Zulfiqar Ali at the BTA Championship South Africa 2011
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  Malik Ata Muhammad Khan at Horse and Cattle Show, Ranger Ground Lahore 2012
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  Malik Ata, Ch Zulfiqar, Qamar Zaman Khan and Wamiq Shah at Royal Adelaide Show 2010, Australia
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  Malik Ata with Alexander Gomaa, Senior Associate NPD
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  Malik Ata riding on the Young Dun at Chakri (Rwp) Mela
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  Malik Ata Muhammad Khan with his friends at Kot Fateh Khan Mela 2008
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  Malik Ata receiving medal from General Atif of Oman at Asian Beach Games 2010, Oman

See also

• Tribes and clans of the Pothohar Plateau
• Jodhra tribe of Northern Punjab
• Gheba tribe of Northern Punjab
• Awan caste