Renowned broadcaster, illustrious writer, poet and a musician, Zulfiqar Ali Bukhari, was remembered on his death anniversary on Thursday. Zulfiqar Ali Bukhari was born in 1904 in Peshawar. After completing his studies, he became a Munshi (or a teacher) and was ultimately promoted as the head of the bureau of translation. ZA Bukhari also took part in theatrical activities. After the launch of All India Radio (AIR) Delhi, Bukhari was appointed at the station as programme director. In 1939, Bukhari, as a station director of AIR Delhi, got transferred to Bombay. After independence of Pakistan, he was made Radio Pakistan’s first director general. Later on, he served as Pakistan Television’s general manager. Bukhari was a workaholic. With his indefatigable energies and love for broadcasting, he worked at the radio station till late into the night. Bukhari especially emphasized the correct Urdu pronunciation. During Bukhari’s tenure, the radio station was a place frequented by intellectuals, writers, musicians, poets and scholars. He turned Radio Pakistan into an institution where raw hands got their early training and went ahead in search of greener pastures. Mirza Zafar-ul-Hasan compiled Yad-i-Yar-i-Mehrban, a book on Bukhari. Both the publications contain Bukhari’s satire columns and some transcriptions of his broadcasts, including the rare ones broadcast by him in Urdu from the BBC during his stay in London. Bukhari’s other books include Sarguzasht, an autobiography, Jo Kuchh Main Ne Kaha, a collection of his verses and Raag Darya, a book on music. ZA Bukhari died in Karachi on July 12, 1975.
