Shaikh Ghulam Ahmad (23 May, 1923 – 20 September, 2003) formed Resources Company Ltd., a holding company that promotes resource development in Pakistan. He was Managing Director and former chairman of Pakistan Chrome Mines Ltd., the largest and oldest chrome mining company in Pakistan

He wrote Unique and Everliving, a biography of prophet Muhammad. The book was written over a period of five years. The book is published by Ferozeson's Ltd., a book publisher in Pakistan.

Life

He was born in the city of Poonch, in Poonch District of Kashmir, on 23 May, 1923. He was educated in Poonch at a school where his father, Shaikh Ghulam Rasul, was the headmaster. He married Jamila Begum at Rehara, Azad Kashmir, Pakistan on 11 May, 1949. He had three sons and two daughters, he received a B.Sc (honours) degree in Physics and a Masters in Statistics from the University of Punjab in Lahore. He received a Postgraduate Diploma in Natural Resource Development ITC, Delft, Holland and completed postgraduate studies for a Phd in Civil Engineering at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

His daughter, Dr. Rehana Kausar MD was the first woman doctor from the Sudhan tribeHis daughter, Dr. Khalida Yasmin MD is a family practice doctor and member of the Texas Family Practice Board. His Son Tariq Ahmad is a resident of Reno, Nevada and Petroleum Engineer. Mobashir Ahmad is a Geophysical Engineer, resident of Reno, Nevada while the eldest son Khalid Adnan is a communications Engineer in New Jersey.

Career

He joined the Royal Indian Air Force as a Fighter Pilot. He fought against the Japanese Imperial Army in Burma during World War II, flying in a Hawker Hurricane fighter plane.

He was selected for the Forest Service after World War II and trained at the Forest Research Institute at Dehradun, India. After partition of India and Pakistan he joined the Pakistan Forest Service, becoming the Chief Conservator of Forests and Director of the Aerial Survey Project in Peshawar, Pakistan, where he surveyed the North-West Frontier Province for a Natural Resources Survey from 1965-1969. He introduced hybrid poplars in Pakistan, including Azad Kashmir, and especially Rawalakot, changing the living conditions of the rural population.

He supervised an aerial survey of the Indus Basin for the development of natural resources. He moved to the United States in August 1971 to complete a PhD in Civil Engineering at Colorado State University.

After retiring from the Pakistani Forest Service, Ahmad joined the Colorado Department of Military Affairs, where he helped draft the Emergency Response Plan for the State of Colorado.

From 1983 until 1999 he was the Managing Director of Pakistan Chrome Mines Ltd.

Philanthropy

He gave scholarships for education of residents of Poonch District, particularly members of the Sudhan tribe, resulting in hundreds of graduates in engineering and medicine. He died on September 20, 2003, at the age of 80 in New Jersey. He helped improve the living conditions of hundreds of Sudhans.

See also List of Kashmiris

He was buried at his favourite place on earth, his apple orchard in Rawalakot, Azad Kashmir.

References

1. Pakistan Chrome Mines LTD, Board of investment, Pakistan government
2. ISBN 9690017837.