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BOOK

My Friend Mairaj – An Intimate Biography

Beyond Power and Pelf

By Muhammad Omar Iftikhar | October 2024

My Friend Mairaj: An Intimate Biography offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of Mairaj Muhammad Khan, a prominent yet complex figure in Pakistan’s political history. The book delves into Khan’s significant role as a founding member of three major political parties: the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Tehreek-i-Istiqlal, and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). However, his time with each of these parties was short-lived, reflecting his independent spirit and unwavering commitment to his principles. The book, penned by Shamim Ahmad, provides an insider’s view of Mairaj Muhammad Khan’s life, shedding light on his legacy as a politician who was unwilling to compromise on his ideals, even within the structures of the political parties he helped build.

The biography highlights a critical moment in Mairaj Muhammad Khan’s political journey when, despite strong pressure from Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, he refused to run as a PPP candidate in the 1970 elections. His reluctance to compromise his values is further demonstrated when, after the creation of a new Pakistan following the separation of East Pakistan, Bhutto appointed him as Minister of State for Public Affairs.

Khan resigned from this position on October 10, 1972, after just over a year in office, unable to align himself with the government’s direction. In another bold move, Mairaj severed ties with the PPP altogether, resigning from the party on November 13, 1973. This decision came 13 months after stepping down from his ministerial role despite being one of the party’s founding members. Khan’s departure from the PPP marks a pivotal moment in his political career, underscoring his steadfast adherence to his beliefs even at the cost of personal and political opportunities.

The book also reflects on Mairaj Muhammad Khan’s political journey, including his time with the Qaumi Mahaz-i-Azadi (QMA), which eventually merged with Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) on December 20, 1997. While Khan became PTI’s secretary general, his tenure was short-lived, as he disagreed with the party’s decision to support General Musharraf’s referendum. This ideological clash led to his departure from PTI, highlighting once again his unwavering commitment to his beliefs.

Indeed, the book is meticulously researched, based on extensive interviews with Khan recorded on 23 audio cassettes, supplemented by conversations with his wife, Mrs. Zubaida Mairaj, human rights activist Hussain Naqi, and Azhar Jamil, recorded on four additional cassettes. This depth of research brings Khan’s story to life with remarkable authenticity.


Adding to the richness of the narrative are several memorable photographs that capture Khan’s interactions with prominent national and international figures. These include moments with Soviet Premier Kosygin during a 1972 visit to Moscow, Bangladesh’s Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in Dhaka in 1974, India’s Foreign Minister I.K. Gujral in 1990, and Benazir Bhutto during a Movement for the Restoration of Democracy (MRD) meeting in 1983.

Beyond its focus on Khan, My Friend Mairaj also provides a window into Pakistan’s political and social landscape over nearly seven decades. It sheds light on key events and offers exclusive insights into the personalities of influential leaders like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Khan’s brother, and the noted journalist and trade unionist Minhaj Burna. The book provides a vivid, multifaceted look at the life of a man who, despite numerous challenges, remained true to his ideals.

The book’s back cover holds a testimonial by Muhammad Ali Siddiqi, a veteran journalist currently serving as the Dawn’s External Ombudsman. He writes, “No one can doubt the authenticity of the book’s contents because the author was one of Mairaj’s and his family’s closest friends. As for Mairaj’s honesty, the author says, ‘no lure of power or pelf could compromise it.”

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