GUJRAT: The heirs of the late Nawab Sir Fazal Ali, the founder of Zamindar College Gujrat, lamented the unnecessary construction and establishment of a stadium and a gymnasium at the college land, marring the beauty of the architecture as well as the environment of the institute.

These concerns were expressed by former MNA Nawabzada Ghazanfar Ali Gull, the grandson of Nawab Sir Fazal Ali, while addressing a gathering organised to commemorate the 81st death anniversary of the college founder.

Eulogising the services of his grandfather for promotion of education in the region by establishing educational institutes, Mr Gull said the education sector in Pakistan had been commercialised and the universities were being established under the different private limited companies that compromised the quality and standards of education for the new generations.

He recalled the former prime minister Benazir Bhutto had once announced to upgrade the Zamindar College to the status of the university but some jealousy elements in the area had become active to hinder the implementation of that announcement.

The late Nawab Sir Fazal Ali was a graduate of the Aligarh Muslim University. He had established the Zamindar College in 1936 besides the schools under the Zamindar Educational Association that was established in 1914. He was granted the honorary status of Nawab by the British Raj in 1932 and was given the status of Sir in 1942.

Born in 1881, Nawab Fazal Ali died in 1942 when he was also serving as the chairman of Gujrat district council. He had served as a member of Punjab Council (Assembly) in 1921.

The Zamindar College was designed on the pattern and architecture of Aligarh University and it was nationalised in 1972 by the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s government.

Earlier former MNA Nawabzada Mazhar Ali, the head of Nawabzada family, Zamindar College Principal Prof Abdul Razzaq, members of Nawabzada family, faculty and staff of college laid floral wreaths on the mausoleum of Sir Fazal Ali located right in front of the main academic block of the college. Prayers for the departed soul were also offered.

Published in Dawn, November 1st, 2023