Amir Azam Khan
Sardar Amir Azam (14 October 1912 – 19 February 1976) was a prominent Pakistani politician and businessman, widely regarded as a pioneer of low-cost housing in Pakistan.
He began his political career in 1951 as a (Member of Constituent Assembly) (MCA) in Pakistan’s first government, led by Liaquat Ali Khan.
Renowned for his ability to manage multiple portfolios simultaneously, Sardar Amir Azam left a lasting legacy in Pakistan’s political and economic landscape.
He then moved to Muzaffarnagar where his father Sardar Muhammad Akram worked for Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan as his manager.
He supported Mr. Liaquat Ali Khan and the Muslim League in the 1945-46 Central Legislature Elections from the Meerut Constituency of Uttar Pradesh.
He moved to the prominence within the city due to his work in trying to solve issues related to services and rehabilitation of Refugees from India.
After the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan, Sardar Amir Azam was made the first Defence Minister of Pakistan during the tenure of Khawaja Nazimuddin in the second Central Government[citation needed] in 1952.
He also participated in the Ottawa Commonwealth Conference, and thus made an extensive tour of Canada, the United States and some European countries on essential government assignments.
Amir Azam continued his support for the Muslim League as an organizer in consecutive elections held in Sindh and East Bengal during 1954.
Sardar Amir Azam was appointed the leader of the Republican Party (Pakistan) from Gujrat District, in Punjab.
To honor his services to his country, the University of Karachi presents the "Sardar Amir Azam Khan Gold Medal" each year to the outstanding B.A.
He then formed the Al Azam Limited, a construction company and was the first to introduce low-cost housing in Pakistan in the private sector.
He remained engaged in housing and construction work until his death, and left a glorious past for the young generation to follow and act upon it.
But as the hospital came under attack by the Hindu extremists, Amir Azam along with his faithful servant, Noor Muhammad alias Nooru, went into hiding.
Sardar Amir Azam Khan died on 19 February 1976, due to prolonged illness caused by cardiovascular diseases.
During his last days, he was treated by Dr Syed Hamid Shafqat, Cardiologist at the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Karachi.
Sardar Amir Azam Khan is buried along with his ancestors in graveyard of Ghari Afghanan which is headquarter of union council of the same name in Taxila Tehsil of Rawalpindi District.
