Sher Zaman Taizi (3 November 1931 – 22 December 2009) was a prominent Pashtun writer, poet, intellectual, and journalist from Pakistan. With a career spanning various fields, Taizi made substantial contributions to literature, journalism, and the understanding of Pashtun culture.
Early Life and Career Of Sher Zaman Taizi
Sher Zaman Taizi was born in Pabbi, a town in the Nowshera District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as NWFP), Pakistan. He began his professional career in the Army Service Corps, where he served as a clerk from 1949 to 1954. He then transitioned to the Intelligence Bureau of the Government of Pakistan, working in Peshawar from 1954 to 1977. During this period, Taizi spent over 15 years in the tribal areas of Pakistan, gaining valuable insights into the local culture and politics. He also spent more than seven years in Kabul, Afghanistan, as part of his intelligence duties.
After his time in the Intelligence Bureau, Taizi took on the role of Liaison Officer with the Afghan Refugees Commissionerate in Peshawar from 1979 to 1980. He later joined the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), serving as both a Protection Officer and a Programme Officer from 1980 to 1991. Following his tenure with the UN, Taizi moved into journalism, working as an Assistant Editor for The Frontier Post, a daily newspaper based in Peshawar, from 1991 to 1995. He continued his editorial work with the BBC Education Project in Peshawar, editing the trilingual magazine New Home New Life between 1996 and 1997.
Taizi also contributed to the Tribal Women Welfare Association, where he held the position of vice-chairperson and served as the editor-in-chief of Neway Zhwand (New Life), a bilingual quarterly publication.’
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Academic Pursuits Of Sher Zaman Taizi
Sher Zaman Taizi had a strong academic background. He completed his Master’s degree in Pashto and went on to earn a Ph.D. from the Area Study Centre at Peshawar University. His doctoral thesis focused on the 1978 Saur Revolution, a Communist revolution in Afghanistan, highlighting his interest in the region’s political dynamics.
Literary Contributions
In Pashto literary circles, Taizi was widely known by his former pen name, Ghamzhan, though he later adopted his family name, Taizi, as his literary identity. His works encompass a variety of genres, including poetry, drama, novels, short stories, and research articles.
Published Works in Pashto
Taizi’s Pashto writings include:
- Warsho (poetry)
- Soma (poetry)
- Gulpana (drama)
- Shpelae (short stories)
- Gul Khan (novel)
- Amanat (novel)
- Rahman Koroona (novel)
- Ghunday (novel)
- Wade o’ n’ sho (novel)
- Nara Zheba (research article on Pashto language)
- Hunan au Safar (research article on characteristics of novels)
- Da Pukhto Leekdod: Yao Sarsari Jaj (research on Pashto script)
- Suqut-e-Afghanistan (translation of The Fall of Afghanistan by Samad Ghaus)
Published Works in English
Taizi also wrote extensively in English, producing both original works and translations. Notable English publications include:
- Polar Bear (translation of Pashto poetry by Mohammad Hasham Zamani)
- The Pukhtun Unity (translation of Qami Wahdat by Mohammad Afzal Khan)
- Rahman Baba: The Outstanding Painter of Thoughts
- The Saur Revolution (research on the 1978 Communist revolution in Afghanistan)
- Afghanistan: From Najib to Mojaddedi (two-volume booklet)
- Afghanistan: A Clash of Interests
- Afghanistan: Two Governments and Three Capitals
- Afghanistan: Drug Menace in Central Asia
- Afghanistan: Landmine Menace in Afghanistan
- Bare-foot in Coarse Clothes (translation from Dari by Dr. Hassan Sharq)
- Bacha Khan in Afghanistan
- Terrorist Attacks in USA and US Attack on Afghanistan
- Secret Plans and Open Faces (translation of Pate Tautiye, Barbande Tsere by Hikmatyar)
- Dispute between Iran and Afghanistan on the Issue of Hirmand River (translation from Persian by Gholam-Reza Fakhari)
- Nights in Kabul (translation from Dari by General Umarzai)
- Causes of the Fall of the Islamic State of Afghanistan under Ustad Rabbani in Kabul (translation from Dari by Syed ‘Allam-ud-Din Atseer)
- General Elections in Afghanistan 2005
Bilingual Works
In addition to his separate Pashto and English works, Taizi authored The Mother Tongue (Moranae Zheba), a bilingual exploration of linguistic heritage.
List of Pashto-Language Poets
Legacy
Sher Zaman Taizi’s extensive body of work, which bridges Pashto and English, has cemented his place as a key figure in the literary and cultural spheres of Pakistan and Afghanistan. His dedication to documenting and exploring the complexities of Pashtun identity and Afghan politics has made him a revered figure among scholars and readers alike. Through his writings, Taizi has left an enduring legacy that continues to inspire and educate future generations on the richness of Pashto culture and the intricacies of regional politics.