Islamia College University’s former VC Dr Ajmal Khan passes away

PESHAWAR: Former Vice Chancellor of Islamia College University Peshawar, Prof Dr Ajmal Khan, passed away in Peshawar at the age of 75.

Dr Khan, who had a distinguished career in education, was known for his resilience, having returned home on August 28, 2014, after spending nearly four years in captivity at the hands of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He was abducted by the TTP on September 8, 2010, from Professors Colony on Peshawar’s University Road while en route to the university.

Notably, Ajmal Khan was the son of Obaidullah Khan and the grandson of Abdul Jabbar Khan, widely recognized as Dr. Khan Sahib, who had served as the Chief Minister of the North West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) before the independence of Pakistan. Dr. Khan Sahib was also the elder brother of the renowned freedom fighter Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, affectionately referred to as Bacha Khan.

Dr Ajmal Khan had the honour of being the first Vice-Chancellor of Islamia College University, Peshawar. His educational journey began after his studies at Burn Hall and Peshawar University, and he commenced his career as a lecturer at Edwardes College, Peshawar. Dr. Khan held various positions at the University of Peshawar and later served as Vice-Chancellor at Gomal University, Dera Ismail Khan. He returned to become the inaugural Vice-Chancellor of Islamia College University when it achieved university status in 2008.

In 2010, he was abducted from Professors Colony on Peshawar’s University Road by the TTP while en route to the university.

Following his release from captivity, Dr Ajmal Khan shared his ordeal in an interview, stating, “I was kidnapped by armed men from the Professors Colony; they whisked me away in a vehicle, injected me with an intoxicating substance, and when I regained consciousness, I found myself in a mountainous region. Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) held me in Waziristan Agency, and I was eventually freed with the assistance of security forces. During my time in Taliban captivity, I was not subjected to torture and spent most of my time reading books and praying. I spent four years in captivity, and I am immensely grateful to Allah Almighty for my return home. I am overjoyed to be reunited with my family.”

In recognition of his significant contributions to the field of education, former president Mamnoon Hussain bestowed upon him the Sitara-e-Imtiaz award.