Today is the 34th death anniversary of one of Pakistan’s most prominent and celebrated Urdu writer Qudrat Ullah Shahab.

Qudrat Ullah Shahab was an eminent Urdu writer and civil servant from Pakistan.

Shahab holds the distinction of having served as the Principal Secretary to three heads of state; Governor-General Ghulam Muhammad, President Iskander Mirza and President Ayub Khan.

He went on to serve as the Ambassador of Pakistan to the Netherlands in 1962 and later as Information Secretary of Pakistan and Education Secretary of Pakistan

Born in Gilgit on February 26, 1920, Shahab always had an enthusiasm for writing.

Even in his early days, he had command in both Urdu and English languages.

He graduated from Prince of Wales College, Jammu, and later from Government College Lahore.

At the age of 16, he won an international essay competition organized by the Readers Digest, London.

Qudratullah Shahab had contributed in English and Urdu languages for contemporary newspapers and magazines of Pakistan Writers Guild.

He is best known for his autobiography Shahab Nama, which is one of the best-selling autobiographies in Pakistan.

The eminent author died this day in 1986 in Islamabad.