Shafiq-ur-Rahman (humorist)

Shafiq-ur-Rahman () (9 November 1920 – 19 March 2000) was a Pakistani humorist and a short-story writer of Urdu language.
He was one of the most illustrious writers of the Urdu speaking world. Like Mark Twain and Stephen Leacock, he has given enduring pleasure to his readers. He was a medical doctor by profession, and served in Pakistan Army. He also received "Hilal-e-Imtiaz" for his military and civilian services. He has widely been appreciated by the writers and critics of Urdu literature.
Early life.
Rahman was born in a Muslim family in Kalanaur, a small town near Rohtak, British India. He received his education in Bahawalpur. He completed his MBBS from King Edward Medical College, Lahore in 1942, and post-graduation in tropical medicine and public health from Edinburgh, in 1952. Rahman began writing humorous stories during his school days. His stories were published in a literary monthly magazine "Khayyam". His first book "Kirneyn" was completed before he joined the medical college and was published in 1938, while he was still a medical student. His unforgettable characters include Razia, Shaitaan, Hukoomat Aapa, Maqsood Ghora, Buddy, Judge Sahab, Nannha and many other girls including Sarwat, Kishwer, Sa'da, Azra Aapa, Nasreen, Akhtar, Ainak etc.
Career.
Rahman joined the Indian Army Medical Corps and served at different war fronts during the Second World War. After the independence of Pakistan in 1947, he joined the Pakistan Army and eventually rose to the rank of general. He also served as chairman of the "Academy of Letters of Pakistan" from 1980 to 1985. During his tenure, the Academy of Letters acquired a new dimension as a prominent literary institution of Pakistan. He continued to write till his death in March 2000. Rahman's work added a new dimension to humour in Urdu literature. He created a world that was very real with all its joys, pains and anguish. It was an affirmation of life and of human values: empathy, compassion and respect. Even the seemingly frivolous and trivial situations had hidden meanings that probed deep into the human psyche. His language was simple, spontaneous and expressive.
Awards and recognition.
He was awarded the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Crescent of Excellence) Award by the President of Pakistan for his military and civilian services after his death on 23 March 2001.
Views.
Rahman has highly been praised by Urdu writers, like:
An excerpt.
Owais Mughal talks of Shahiq-ur-Rahman, the humorist. He recalls:
Here is my attempt at an approximate translation for our English readers:
Death.
Rahman had three sons, Attique, Khalique and Ameen. He died on 19 March 2000 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan.