Transitions: SSUET’s Zakir Ali Khan passes away at 86 announced Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology

KARACHI:
Zakir Ali Khan, a great proponent of the vision and mission of reformer and educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, passed away here Wednesday after a protracted illness, announced Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) in a press release. He was 86 years old.
Born in July 1926 in Rampur, Zakir Ali Khan did his Matric from Rampur, BSc from Aligarh in 1945 and BSc in engineering from the same university in 1948.
Zakir Ali Khan went on to work as the managing director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, and honorary vice-chancellor of SSUET. He was a founder member of the board of governors at SSUET, and founder member for the governing body of the Aligarh Institute of Technology, the president of the Pakistan Association of Scientists and Scientific Professions. He was elected the general secretary of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association in 1960 and occupied this position till his death.
Zakir Ali Khan was the recipient of the alumni award given to him by the Aligarh Alumni Association New York in 2000 and was awarded the First Sir Syed Ahmed Khan International Award for Literature by Aligarh Muslim University, India in 2008. He wrote 10 books and worked hard to promote hockey. He also served as the secretary of the Karachi Division Lawn Tennis Association.
Published in The Express Tribune,
Educationist Zakir Ali Khan passes away
KARACHI, Feb 8: Zakir Ali Khan, a protagonist of the vision and mission of great reformer and educationist Sir Syed Ahmed Khan, passed away on Wednesday after a protracted illness. He was 86.

Besides his wife, he has left three sons — Nadir Ali Khan, a former international tennis player, Baber Ali Khan and Akber Ali Khan, also renowned tennis players — and a daughter.

His funeral prayers were offered on the premises of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association office, near Arts

Council. He was laid to rest in the Defence Phase-VII graveyard. The funeral was largely attended by senior government officials and noted literary and sports personalities, besides his relatives and friends.

Soyem for both ladies and gents would be held after Friday prayers at 64-B, Khayaban-i-Ittehad.

The Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology (SSUET) will remain closed on Thursday to mourn his death, according to a press release.

Born in July 1926 in Rampur (India), Zakir Ali Khan did his matriculation in his hometown, BSc in Aligarh (1945) and BSc (Engineering) in the same city (1948).

In his professional career, the late Mr Khan served as the managing director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), chief engineer of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, honorary vice chancellor of the Sir Syed University of Engineering and Technology, founder member of the SSUET board of governors, founder member of the Aligarh Institute of Technology governing body, president of the Pakistan Association of Scientists and Scientific Professionals, member of the Karachi University syndicate and member of the KU academic council selection board.

He was elected general secretary of the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association in 1960 and held this position till his death.

Mr Khan played a key role in setting up the KMC Sports Complex and its centre tennis court, where renowned international tennis player Ilie Nastase of Romania played an international exhibition match with former international champion Saeed Meer in 1980. The tennis court was also visited by Arthur Ashe of the United States.

Zakir Ali Khan was the recipient of the Aligarh Alumni Association, New York, alumni award-2000. He was awarded the First Sir Syed Ahmed Khan International Award for Literature by the Aligarh Muslim University, India, in 2008.

He also played a significant role in establishing the Aligarh Muslim University Old Boys Association of which he had been the honorary secretary for the last five decades.

He helped promote hockey, tennis and other sports and visited various countries as team manager and served as secretary of the Lawn Tennis Association, Karachi division.