Old Boys' Bulletin
May 2022PDF 15
20 pagesrevision 422
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OBITUARIES
VALE: SYED IFTIKHAR ALI BOKHARI
1935 -2021
Aitchison College salutes the life of one of its truly great old boys, who passed
away after a long illness. Syed Iftikhar Ali Bokhari was a gentleman, cricketer,
politician and generous supporter of his beloved Aitchison. Educated at
Aitchison College, Kings School Ely and Cambridge University, Iftikhar went on to
serve as a Senator for Pakistan from 1988 to 1991. However, it was in the realm of
cricket where he is possibly best remembered and regarded by many keen
observers of the game as the best opening batsmen ever to have represented his
country.
'Ifti' (as he was fondly known) made his first-class debut in 1951–52 at the age of
16, opening the batting for the Punjab Governor's XI against Punjab University.
He played for Cambridgeshire in the Minor Counties Championship in 1956,
scoring 649 runs in seven matches at an average of 72.11, and won the
competition's batting award. He played one match for Cambridge University, the
first match of 1957. Returning to Pakistan, he played two matches as an opening
batsman for Punjab in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in 1957–58, and two for Lahore in 1958–59. He was in outstanding form for
Lahore in the inaugural season of the Ayub Trophy in 1960–61. In the opening match, he became the first player to score a double
century in the Ayub Trophy when he scored 203 not out against Punjab University. In the semi-final he made 0 and 100 not out
against Rawalpindi and Peshawar. In the final, he made 50 (Lahore's top score) and 4 not out, to finish the competition as the leading
batsman with 357 runs at a mammoth average of 178.50. He scored his last first-class century in the first match of the 1961–62
season, when he made 106 against Multan. He played one match for Sargodha, captaining them in the Ayub Trophy in 1964–65,
when he top-scored in both innings in a low-scoring match with 17 and 45 against Combined Services.
The Principal, Mr. Thomson, remembers him in his words: "While he obviously enjoyed a full and influential life, Iftikhar was, first
and foremost, a gentleman through and through. His company was always sought and his contributions to the College delivered in
ways that raised everyone's enthusiasm. He was such a positive man and a wonderful example for the younger generation to follow.
As it was for so many others, it was my good fortune to have known him as a friend. I am sure that many old boys will be writing more
about 'Ifti' in the coming days. Our deepest condolences are extended to his wife and family. We have lost one of our irreplaceable
greats."
PASSING OF LATE RAZA KULI KHAN KHATTAK
Aitchison College mourns the passing of one of its great figures, Mr. Raza Kuli
Khan Khattak, MA (Oxon) and Brasenose College Oxford from where he
graduated with honours in 1961. He subsequently joined his father in the Family
Business and was the Chairman of 'Bibojee/ Gen Habibullah's Group of
Companies. For many years, he generously gave his time as a member of the
Aitchison College Board of Governors. He was a student of the College from
1947 to 1956, where he excelled as a scholar and sportsman. While at Kelly
House, he was a member of the School Swimming Team and Riding Team. In his
last year at AC he was a house prefect, he had adequately established his
excellence in riding, swimming, athletics (high jump) and tennis. His lasting love of
horses led to his being a long standing Director on the Board of Brook's, a British
charity for the welfare of horses, which continues to be active in various parts of
Pakistan. His love of polo led to his being a founder and guardian of the Peshawar
Polo Club, of which he was President. The French Embassy appointed him as their
Honorary Consul in Peshawar, a responsibility that he fulfilled with perseverance
and was duly honoured by the President of France with the award of the rank of a
Chevalier of France. At the time of his death, he was chairman of the Board of
Governors, Langlands School & College, Chitral, and was a very active farmer at
his family farm in Haroonabad.
Mr. Mueen Afzal who had known Mr. Raza ever since 1954 shares fond memories of his versatility of interests, subtle sense of
humour and broad- mindedness in dealing with people from different religious, ethnic and financial backgrounds. He praises his
integrity of character and plain talk which also endeared him to all at Oxford. Mr. Raza was a man of high moral code which he had, in
a sense, constructed for himself on the basis of his Pashtun background and his upbringing at Aitchison College.
We pray to Allah Almighty for the peaceful eternal abode of the departed soul.