Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb was
born on the 5th of June 1908 in Saidu Sharif, Swat to Miangul Abdul Wadood, who
himself was the grandson of the Akhund of Swat, locally known as Saidu Baba, a
sufi saint who was held in very high regard and respect in the area. In 1917
Swat became a formal Princely State, one of about 560 states in the then
British India, with Miangul Abdul Wadood being appointed as the ruler under the
title of The Wali Of Swat. Miangul Jahanzeb went to the Islamia Collegiate in
Peshawar for his education and after receiving his FA degree in 1926 he was
called back by his father, to assist in the administration of Swat State, In
the same year the British Indian Government accorded official recognition to
Swat State. In 1933 Miangul Jahanzeb was appointed the Heir Apparent (Crown
Prince) by his father and was so recognized by a ceremony attended by the
British Political Agent. After that Miangul Jahanzeb was made the head of the
State Armed Forces and handed over Executive Authority of the State. After
1940, it was clear that The Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah was determined to
create a independent Muslim State and he needed all types of resources and help
from all segments of the Muslim population of the then India.
In 1947, on the appeal of The
Quaid, The State of Swat donated the sum of Rupees Four lacs to the cause of
the Referendum that was to be held in the then North West Frontier Province in July
of that year. In acknowledgement of this contribution The Quaid wrote a letter
of appreciation to the Wall of Swat dated 28th July 1947, the exhibit of which
is attached. Upon the creation of Pakistan, The Quaid once again appealed to
the Wali of Swat for funds to which the State of Swat responded by given a
handsome donation, which is also acknowledged by The Quaid in his letter dated
2nd October 1947. This cash donation was also accompanied by material in the
form of blankets for the Muhajareen.
Pakistan had inherited an ill
equipped armed forces and the need to buy weapons was the dire need of the hour
and as such the Government of Pakistan once again appealed to Swat State for
help. In return The Wali of Swat donated the equivalent of British Pounds
12,000 towards the purchase of the most advanced fighter aircraft at the time,
called FURY, for induction in the Royal Pakistan Air Force. The aircraft was
subsequently named JAHANZEB. The letter of acknowledgement of the then
Secretary of Defence of the Government of Pakistan is attached.
In December 1949, Miangul Abdul
Haq Jahanzeb the crown prince, was elevated to be WALI of Swat upon the
abdication of his father, and for the official recognition The then Prime
Minister of Pakistan, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan was in attendance in Swat.
The State of Swat also sent a
substantial force to make up the lashkar for the liberation of Kashmir for
which The Wali was given the award of Ghazi e Millat.
The Wali upon the appeal of the
government of NWFP also provided teaching staff for the schools and colleges in
Peshawar.
The Wali of Swat also provided
the forces of The Swat State Army to fight besides the Pakistan Army in the 1965
war with India.
For his services for Pakistan,
The Wali of Swat was bestowed by the Government the awards of Hilal-e-Pakistan
and the Hilal-e-Quaid-e-Azam.
For the services towards
education the University of Peshawar bestowed upon The Wali the Hon Degree of
Doctor of Laws.
In July 1969, the State of Swat
was merged with the then NWFP and in September 1987, Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb
passed away of natural causes.
On the services to the cause of
creation of Pakistan of Miangul Abdul Haq Jahanzeb Former Wali of Swat State,
Pakistan Post is issuing a Commemorative Postage Stamp of Rs 20/- denomination
September 14, 2020.
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