Dr Muhammad Iftikhar

children's author and academic

Compiled from 1 recorded interview. Every statement below is drawn from the passage cited beside it.

Dr Muhammad Iftikhar Khokhar is an academic with a PhD in Mass Communication from Punjab University. He moved to Islamabad in 1986 and started the Children Literature section as its founder, and he says he worked on children's literature for about 25 years. He has supervised MPhil and PhD research students for about three years.

Early life and background

Khokhar has said that as a child he had access to newspapers and magazines at home. His family arranged for him to receive two or three magazines to read. [1]

Education

Khokhar did a Master's in Mass Communication and received a gold medal. He did the Master's degree in Urdu. [1]

Paigham

Khokhar started a magazine called Paigham and began running it in June 1975. He developed an interest in producing a four-page cyclostyled magazine. Paigham was run by a children's organisation. After he moved to Lahore, Paigham began to be printed. He was the editor of Paigham while he was a student. He says Paigham had been published for 46 years by 2021. [1]

Children's literature

Khokhar applied for a Grade 17 researcher post because he was interested in children's literature. A new department was set up under the International Islamic University. He says his team commissioned books for primary, middle and matric age groups from good Pakistani writers. [1]

He says about 25 of his earlier books have been printed, including the Haiwanat-e-Qurani series. He says about 24 primary-level books were written by him at another party's request. He has written two books in Urdu, including Tareekh-e-Sahafat. He is now writing books for very young children. [1]

Khokhar says his children's literature work involved links with UNICEF, UNDP and UNESCO. He says his team held a camp for children in Ziarat in about 2007, together with another group. He says his team held activities with children each year on 20 November, World Children's Day, within the Quetta area. He says a new education committee added him for children's literature. [1]

Academic work

A former Director General at his workplace, then Vice Chancellor of Riphah University, told Khokhar he had done considerable work in children's literature. Khokhar was invited to join the Mass Communication department to supervise MPhil and PhD research. [1]

Views

Khokhar says Urdu books are needed for very young children, such as nursery and prep age. He says illustrated Urdu books for children were almost non-existent at that time. He also says there is no market in Pakistan for Urdu books for children. In his account, Lahore alone has about 5,000 printing presses. [1]

He says children from Balochistan often win national competitions. He says the town of Khanozai has a 100% literacy rate. He says he saw a great deal of talent among children in Gwadar when they had opportunities. [1]

Khokhar says Jinnah said Pakistan's official language would be Urdu. He says the 1973 constitution stated that Urdu would be the official language. He says efforts were made under General Zia-ul-Haq to promote Urdu everywhere. He says the federal Urdu University was set up under Musharraf. He says HEC ruled that all university correspondence should be in Urdu. [1]

He says the CSS exam is in English, and an Urdu medium would give more people a chance. He says English should be studied as a subject, because much of the latest online material is in English. He says Pakistanis could progress faster if the national education system ran in the national language. He also says East Pakistan separated in 1971 because of Pakistan's own mistakes. [1]

Khokhar thinks the single national curriculum may not have been implemented, possibly because of Covid. He sees the single national curriculum as a major step at grassroots level. He hopes a new generation will be able to focus properly on Urdu. [1]

He says Pakistan has more than 50 languages, which is both an opportunity and a challenge. He recommends teaching children in their mother tongue up to primary level. He says Urdu should carry the link between regions at national level. He says Urdu absorbed words from Persian, Arabic, Pashto and Sindhi. He says you rarely see Punjabi written on shop signs. [1]

Personal life

Khokhar says he is a Punjabi speaker but cannot read or write Punjabi. His father could recite a couplet on almost any occasion. [1]

Timeline

1975
Began running the magazine Paigham.[1]
1986
Moved to Islamabad and started the Children Literature section as its founder.[1]
2007
His team held a camp for children in Ziarat, in about this year.[1]
2021
Said Paigham had been published for 46 years.[1]

Appearances

DateTitleWhere
2021-04-07 Why Urdu never became the language of Pakistan Thought Behind Things

Frequently asked questions

Who is Dr Muhammad Iftikhar?

Dr Muhammad Iftikhar Khokhar is an academic with a PhD in Mass Communication from Punjab University. He moved to Islamabad in 1986 and started the Children Literature section as its founder. He has supervised MPhil and PhD research students for about three years.[1]

What does Dr Muhammad Iftikhar do?

Dr Muhammad Iftikhar has supervised MPhil and PhD research students for about three years. He is also writing books for very young children.[1]

Where did Dr Muhammad Iftikhar study?

Dr Muhammad Iftikhar did a Master's in Mass Communication, in Urdu, and received a gold medal. He also did a PhD in Mass Communication at Punjab University.[1]

What is Paigham, the magazine Dr Muhammad Iftikhar started?

Paigham is a magazine that Dr Muhammad Iftikhar started and began running in June 1975. It was run by a children's organisation. He says it had been published for 46 years by 2021.[1]

What books has Dr Muhammad Iftikhar written?

Dr Muhammad Iftikhar has written two books in Urdu, including Tareekh-e-Sahafat. He says about 25 of his earlier books have been printed, including the Haiwanat-e-Qurani series.[1]

What are Dr Muhammad Iftikhar's views on Urdu?

Dr Muhammad Iftikhar says there is no market in Pakistan for Urdu books for children. He recommends teaching children in their mother tongue up to primary level. He says Urdu should carry the link between regions at national level.[1]

References

  1. Why Urdu never became the language of Pakistan . Thought Behind Things , 2021-04-07.
Show the source passages (55 statements)
  1. His name is Dr Muhammad Iftikhar Khokhar. In conversation with Dr. Muhammad Iftikhar Khokhar, this episode explores Urdu language and children literature.
  2. As a child he had access to newspapers and magazines at home. Bachpan mein kyunki ghar mein mujhe yeh mauqa hasil the ke akhbarat aur rasail padhne ka
  3. His family arranged for him to receive two or three magazines to read. ghar walon ne do teen magazine, Taleem-o-Tarbiyat aur khilona yeh lagwa ke diye hue the
  4. He started a magazine called Paigham. Toh woh Paigham ke naam se maine woh usko shuru kiya
  5. He developed an interest in producing a four-page cyclostyled magazine. Toh mere dil mein shauq paida hua ke jis tarah ek magazine hota hai toh kyun na main cyclostyle jo hai woh koi char safhe ka nikaloon.
  6. After he moved to Lahore, Paigham began to be printed. Uske baad phir mujhe Lahore shift hona pada toh usko phir yeh ke woh Lahore se printing shakal mein Paigham shuru hua.
  7. He was the editor of Paigham while he was a student. Aur zamana talib-e-ilm tak main uska madeer raha.
  8. He began running Paigham in June 1975. ab yeh hai ke usko yeh June 1975 maine shuru kiya tha
  9. Paigham was run by a children's organisation. Nahi nahi, yeh ek bachon ki tanzeem thi Paigham.
  10. He says Paigham had been published for 46 years by 2021. Aur ab yeh hai ke 2021 is mein jo hai ke aap andaza laga le ke 45 46 saal ho chuke hain. 46 years se woh chhap raha hai.
  11. He did a Master's in Mass Communication and received a gold medal. Mera mamla hua ke maine jab Mass Communication mein Master kiya toh mera gold medal tha Alhamdulillah.
  12. He did his Master's in Mass Communication in Urdu. Aur khud maine jo jo Mass Communication mein Master kiya toh Urdu mein hi kiya
  13. He did a PhD in Mass Communication at Punjab University. maine Punjab University se hi PhD bhi ki Mass Communication mein
  14. He applied for a Grade 17 researcher post because he was interested in children's literature. Kyunki mera us waqt dilchaspi bhi yehi thi ke bachon ke literature ke hawale se toh maine apply kiya yahan jo hai woh researcher ke taur pe Grade 17 mein.
  15. A new department was set up under the International Islamic University. Us arse mein International Islamic University ke तहत ek naya shoba bana Dawah Academy.
  16. He moved to Islamabad in 1986 and started the Children Literature section as its founder. yeh 1986 mein main Islamabad mein aaya aur phir us mein Children Literature section ke naam se jo kaam uska yani founder ya bani ke taur pe maine us kaam ko shuru kiya.
  17. He says he worked on children's literature for about 25 years. Aur yeh takreeban 25 years maine yeh kaam kiya
  18. He says his team commissioned books for primary, middle and matric age groups from good Pakistani writers. humne age group toh yeh hai ke class 1 2 3 nahi balki humne primary, middle aur matric teen group banane ke baad Pakistan ke jo achche writers the unse kitabein likhwai.
  19. He says about 25 of his earlier books have been printed, including the Haiwanat-e-Qurani series. Usne meri koi 25 kitabein pehle chapi hui hain, Haiwanat-e-Qurani series waghera.
  20. He says about 24 primary-level books were written by him at another party's request. Ab unhone mujhse jo hai woh primary level ki kitabein jo hai na woh koi 24 likhwai hain.
  21. He is now writing books for very young children. bahut chote level ke bachon ke liye likhoon toh us pe aaj kal main kaam kar raha hoon
  22. He says Urdu books are needed for very young children, such as nursery and prep age. Magar ab zaroorat yeh hai ke bahut choti umar ke bachche jo hain nursery, prep unke liye bhi is level pe kitabein honi chahiye
  23. A former Director General at his workplace, then Vice Chancellor of Riphah University, told him he had done considerable work in children's literature. Professor Dr. Anis Ahmed jo pehle hamare yahan Director General the hamare jab woh khud Riphah University ke jab Vice Chancellor the toh unhone kaha ke ab aapne khasa arsa bachon ke adab mein kaam kar liya hai
  24. He was invited to join the Mass Communication department to supervise MPhil and PhD research. toh ab aap jo aapka asal maidan-e-kar Mass Communication hai us mein hamare paas aayein aur wahan jo MPhil PhD ke students hain unki supervision
  25. He has supervised MPhil and PhD research students for about three years. Toh ab main koi teen saal se jo hai na woh wahan yeh MPhil PhD ke students hain unki jo hai research supervision ka kaam kar raha hoon.
  26. He says his children's literature work involved links with UNICEF, UNDP and UNESCO. kyunke children literature mein kaam karte hue unicef se hamara rabta raha phir undp se aur mukhtalif idaron se raha unesco se raha
  27. He says a new education committee added him for children's literature. Education committee bani hai, unhone mujhe children literature ke hi hawale se shamil kiya hai.
  28. He says illustrated Urdu books for children were almost non-existent at that time. Toh us waqt bhi yehi tha ke Urdu zuban mein bachon ke liye illustration wali kitabein na hone ke barabar thi.
  29. He says there is no market in Pakistan for Urdu books for children. Kyunki hamare mulk mein Urdu literature ka bachon ke liye Urdu kitabon ka yahan market nahi hai.
  30. He says Lahore alone has about 5,000 printing presses. sirf lahore shehar mein 5000 printing press hain
  31. He says his team held a camp for children in Ziarat in about 2007, together with another group. phir humne unke sath milke yeh koi 2007 mein ziarat mein bacho ke liye ek camp kiya
  32. He says his team held activities with children each year on 20 November, World Children's Day, within the Quetta area. pehle to sirf yeh tha ki Quetta ki had tak hamara woh har saal mein activities hum karte the bacho ke sath, aalmi yome itfaal ke hawale se 20 November ko.
  33. He says the town of Khanozai has a 100% literacy rate. Khanozai jo hai woh is waqt pure Balochistan mein, balki Pakistan mein bhi wahan sharah-e-khandgi 100% hai
  34. He says children from Balochistan often win national competitions. National level pe jab bhi koi competition hota hai to aksar-o-beshtar competition jo hai woh yeh Balochistan se jeet te hain.
  35. He says he saw a great deal of talent among children in Gwadar when they had opportunities. Gwadar mein hum kiya. To usme maine dekha ki agar bacho ko mawaqe dastiyab hon to bahut talent hai.
  36. He thinks the single national curriculum may not have been implemented, possibly because of Covid. usko implementation shayad nahi ho saka corona ki wajah se kyunke ab saal, dedh saal se to yahi sunne mein hi aa raha hai bar bar ki single national curriculum.
  37. He sees the single national curriculum as a major step at grassroots level. Kyunki woh I think ek ek major step hai at least grass roots level ke upar ki
  38. He hopes a new generation will be able to focus properly on Urdu. ek nayi generation puri ki puri woh aisi rakh denge jo ki Urdu ke upar properly you know focus kar sakti hai
  39. He says efforts were made under General Zia-ul-Haq to promote Urdu everywhere. General Zia-ul-Haq ke daur mein koshish ki gayi thi ke jo dastoor mein yeh tha ke Pakistan ki sarkari zuban Urdu hogi unhone yeh hai ke planning yeh ki ke har jagah pe Urdu ko riwaj diya jaye.
  40. He says Jinnah said Pakistan's official language would be Urdu. Ab bani-e-Pakistan Qaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah ne kaha tha ke Pakistan ki sarkari zuban Urdu hogi.
  41. He says the 1973 constitution stated that Urdu would be the official language. 1973 mein Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto ke daur mein jo ain bana us pe bhi likha tha ke Pakistan ki sarkari zuban jo hai Urdu hogi
  42. He says HEC ruled that all university correspondence should be in Urdu. koi do saal pehle HEC ne ek ruling apni woh di thi tamam universities ko. Ke aap yeh hai jitni bhi khat-o-kitabat hai woh sab jo hai na woh Urdu zuban mein honi chahiye.
  43. He says the federal Urdu University was set up under Musharraf. Musharraf ke daur mein yeh wafaqi Urdu University qaim hui
  44. He says the CSS exam is in English, and an Urdu medium would give more people a chance. Aap dekh lein ke CSS ka imtehan jo hai us mein bhi English mein hai aur agar Urdu medium mein hota toh logon ko mauqe bhi hote
  45. He says English should be studied as a subject, because much of the latest online material is in English. Zahir hai duniya jahan mein is waqt jo hai net pe jo cheezein ek latest hain woh English mein hain. Woh subject ke tor pe aap zaroor padhein.
  46. He says Pakistanis could progress faster if the national education system ran in the national language. usko agar apni qaumi zaban mein leke chalenge to main samajhta hoon ki Pakistani qaum jitni zaheen hai, talent hai woh bahut jaldi aage ja sakti hai
  47. He says East Pakistan separated in 1971 because of Pakistan's own mistakes. Mashriqi Pakistan tha to 1971 mein hamari apni ghalti ki wajah se jab woh alag hua
  48. He says Pakistan has more than 50 languages, which is both an opportunity and a challenge. Pakistan mein again like I said opportunity aur challenge yeh hai ki aapke paas pure mulk mein koi pata nahi 50 se zyada languages boli ja rahi hain.
  49. He recommends teaching children in their mother tongue up to primary level. Hamare yahan yeh hai ki aap apne local level pe apni jo madri zaban mein usme bacho ko zaroor padhayein primary level tak taake usse link rahein.
  50. He says Urdu should carry the link between regions at national level. Magar upar level pe unko kam az kam ki national level pe unko jodne ke liye phir Urdu mein usko jo hai na woh aage leke jayein.
  51. He says Urdu absorbed words from Persian, Arabic, Pashto and Sindhi. usmein saare alfaz jo hai na woh jazb ho jate hain sahi farsi ke hain phir usmein jo hai ke arabi hai baqi cheezein hain koi manoos alfaz koi pashto ke bhi sindhi ke bhi
  52. He says you rarely see Punjabi written on shop signs. Aapko kahin yeh nahi hoga ki dukanon ke upar you know Punjabi mein likha hua hai.
  53. He says he is a Punjabi speaker but cannot read or write Punjabi. Magar main khud Punjabi hoon magar main na likh sakta hoon, na padh sakta hoon.
  54. His father could recite a couplet on almost any occasion. mere walid sahab baithe baithe na kisi bhi mauqe ke upar koi bhi sher nikal ke throw kar sakte hain
  55. He has written two books in Urdu, including Tareekh-e-Sahafat. Khud maine do kitabein Urdu mein likhi. Ek Tareekh-e-Sahafat aur ek Islam ka Nazariya-e-Balagh