Hatim Alvi (1898-1976)

Dr. Badruddin Ujan, a noted scholar & former civil servant has started contributing a series of research based articles on well known politico-religious figures of bye gone era. This being the fourth part of the series of high class writeups.

Hatim Alvi was born on 20th October, 1898, in Palanpur (Gujrat). His father Seth Ali Bhai, who was associated with Dandi Bohra Community, came to Karachi in the year 1866, on a business trip and settled here. He made fortune with much labour, hard work and cleverness.

Hatim Alvi entered Sindh Madressah, but he could not wuench his thirst od Education in a systematic way. Before his passing of Matriculation, he was expelled from Sindh Madressah, by Mr. Wynes, the then Principal, because he wrote an article against British Government. Thus Hatim continued his private studies and participated in social, educational religious and political activities. He was devoted Muslim.

Hatim Alvi was deeply influenced by his parents, who were religious minded and God fearing Hatim thus came closer to religious studies. He studied many religious books. The study of Tasauf, cleaned his mind from religious narrowness and prejudice of one community against other. He hated the short sightedness of a ‘Mulla’.

Hatim inherited ’progressive thinking’ from his fore fathers, because his family was educated and well established. They opposed their community rituals which were based on narrowness and clergy oriented thinking. Thus his family faced severe opposition from his community. Finding no other alternative he surrendered temporarily before it pur his mind worked on progressive patterns. Hatim Alvi joined “Theosophical Society”. He formed a circle of young friends who started writing in a journal ’Aagey qadam’, but they could not continue because of growing opposition.

Hatim’s elders have much say in the social life of Karachi. His father became nominated member of the Municipality, as and when it was established. His brother Yousuf Ali replaced his father and remained member from 1896 to 1901. Thus Hatim Ali became member of Karachi Municipality in 1937 and continued upto emergence of Pakistan. He became Vice President for three years and Mayor for one year when it was raised to the status of Corporation.

During Khilafat Movement, Hatim joined Congress, because at that time Hindu Muslim Unity was emerging. Hatim was deeply influenced by Anine Basant and her preaching. Thus he possessed balanced thinking that is why he was never seen behind the bars, owing to his liberal policy just like his contemporaries Raees Ghulam Muhammad Bhurgri, Jethanand Persram and Jamshed Nasserwanji and others.

Hatim worked day and night for affected and distressed people from the platform of Congress. But when differences between Congress and Muslim Leaugue arose on account of constitutional set up, Hatim joined Muslim League and served with his talents of head and heart for the cause of people.

Hatim could not rise up in political field and he remained upto level of Municipality. There are many reasons for this. It was because of his liberal thinking, love for education and studies and his attachment with a small community. That is why people could not recognise in him, his concealed capabilities.

Hatim was profoundly moved by Nature and Natural scenes and spiritual poetry. He was no more within himself, when he listened to poetry of Nabi Bux Faqir and Hafiz. He used to walk in moonlit nights and enjoy the calm and tranquility of them. He was wonder struck at the sight of sunrise and sunset, waxing and waning of moon, while floating across the ocean. He used to visit places of historical importance in country as well as abroad. He listened to cairn and quiet messages, conveyed to him through the medium of silence, from green Mountains, Churches and Graveyards and he used to remain there for house and hours.

Hatim passed much of his life in social, political, educational and economic fields. Thus he gained much experience. For the last time he contested Elections for National Assembly, but could not succeed, because of uncongenial atmosphere and growing interference of administration in Election. The selfless, honest and God fearing persons like Hatim Ali stand defeated in the atmosphere of deceit, treachery and hypocrisy.

If we countdown the services of Hatim Ali, we would need a separate sitting on his various services. Some of these are:

Hatim was member of Sindh Madressah. He was member of Sindh University and Karachi University Syndicate. He remained honourary Secretary of Karachi Academy High School for about twenty five years.

Hatim Ali became Chairman of Karachi Red Cross Society, Karachi Social service League, Blind, deaf and dumb service league. He was member of Food Grain Policy Committee, Government of India, Karachi District Local Board, Local Self Govt. Enquiry Committee. Hatim became Vice Chairman of Karachi Port trust. He was Chairman of Urban Co-operative Society, Vice Chairman and Director of Sindh Provincial Co-operative Bank, Director State Bank of Pakistan, Chairman of Pak, Industrial and Finance Corporation.

These are his services in the Country, hating has represented Pakistan in foreign countries in various capacities. Some of them are: He was leader of Pak. goodwill Mission to Indonesia and Egypt. He was member of Economic relations Committee for Japan, Moscow and England. He was member of Pakistan delegation for United Nations. Hatim has participated in many International Conferences. He was Chairman of Pakistan African League. He was honourary Secretary of Society of Friends of West. He was President of Pak. China friendship Society. He remained member of Pak. Germany Forum, Pak. London Society and International Economic Islamic Conference.

This was brief description of Hatim Alvi’s services rendered in various capacities. Each one of the above services can add a chapter in his life.

Hatim Alvi died on 26^th January 1976. He is no more with us but his services are with us. It is very sad that such a man is lying unheeded in a few books, where as volumes can be written on his life for the people to know and learn from his experiences and services rendered in above fields. It is bounden duty of his successors to do some thing in this regard for compilation of a comprehensive book on Hatim Alvi for which the services of writers can be obtained. 

(Dr. Badar Ujan is a noted Sindhi intellectual & a retired Civil servant).