facebooktwittertelegramwhatsapp
copy short urlprintemail
+ A
A -
webmaster
Pakistani community members have paid rich tributes to Lt General Jehanzeb Arbab, who passed away in Karachi recently at the age of 95. He had served as Pakistan’s ambassador to Qatar from 1980 to 1986. Hailing from Tehkal-Bala in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, he belonged to a respected political Arbab family. During his service, he held various key positions including Corps Commander of Sindh Province. After his retirement from the army, he was appointed as the governor of Sindh.
He also served as deputy general secretary of South Asia Territory Organization (SETO). His family members actively took part in the country’s politics. His nephew, Arbab Jehangir, served as the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Arbab Sikandar Khan Khalil was the governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto government. Arbab Shahzad was chief secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is now serving in Prime Minister Imran Khan’s office. Besides taking bilateral relations between Pakistan and Qatar to new heights, Jehanzeb Arbab’s tenure as an ambassador to Qatar saw the construction of buildings for the Pakistan embassy, and Pakistan Education Centre (PEC), now called the Pakistan International School.
The land for the sprawling double-storey PEC building was donated by the Qatari government while the fund for the construction of the campus was raised entirely through donations.
Arbab played a major role in collecting donations through various sources to construct the school building on 75,000 square metres of land in Abu Hamour area. The institution’s auditorium was later named Arbab Auditorium as a tribute to him.
The building was inaugurated by the late Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq on November 6, 1985.
Upon his return to Pakistan, Arbab got involved in social and welfare activities. As chairman of Horticultural Society of Pakistan (HSP), he organised numerous events. He visited Qatar in 2007 at the invitation of Pakistan’s former ambassador to Qatar Mohammed Asghar Afridi, who was second secretary at the mission in Doha when Arbab was the ambassador in the 80’s.
Arbab attended Pakistan Day festival and formal foundation stone-laying ceremony of the school’s staff accommodation as the chief guest.
Community members have expressed deep sorrow on the demise of Arbab, who was fondly known as Bobby. The community members noted the services rendered by Arbab. Qatar Tribune talked to a cross section of community members. Here’s what they said:
Mahmood Ahmed,
Director Administration, Petroleum Mechanical Trading Company
My introduction to the late Lt General Jehanzeb Arbab began when l first met him at a diplomatic gathering in Doha in 1980. At that time I was associated with the UNESCO Regional Office for the Arab Gulf States and UNDP Office in Qatar. After his arrival in Doha, Arbab established the first professional school for Pakistani children. He was the dean of diplomatic corps and the first chairman of PEC Board of Governors. I had the privilege of being a member of the board. Thanks to his tremendous efforts, the PEC board members unanimously recommended to name the school’s auditorium after his name. He was a highly respected diplomat and a man of many qualities. During his stay in Doha, he made all efforts to establish good relations between Qatar and Pakistan. He was a great human being. He will always be remembered by the people in Qatar.
Kabir ud Din Siraj Khan,
PIA Sales Executive
The Pakistani community will always remember Lt Gen (retd) Jehanzeb Arbab for establishing strong relations between Pakistan and Qatar. His judicious diplomatic policy brought Pakistan and Qatar closer to each other which will be remembered in the history of foreign policy of Pakistan and Qatar. He helped the Pakistani community in various fields such as education, travel industry, trading and contracting. He was the man behind the construction of the new building for Pakistan embassy and PEC. Thanks to his efforts, Pakistan’s national carrier got a modern and independent office in Doha.
Mohammed Idrees Anwar,
CEO Al-Khayarin Group of Companies
I would like to convey my profound condolences on the sad demise of Lt Gen (retd) Jehanzeb Arbab. A man with a great visionary approach, he was instrumental in initiating many diplomatic, professional and community welfare endeavours. I am fortunate to have had several conversations with him besides meeting him personally. He was a meticulous person and man of words. He knew the art of interacting and extending respect to the Pakistani community members. He always took them on board for any community activities. He dreamed big and worked hard towards the construction of exclusive school building. Pakistani community fondly remembers the services of this great man.
Adeel Akbar,General Secretary, Pakistan Arts Society-Qatar
Lt Gen (retd) Jahanzeb Arbab was a seasoned professional whose acumen and ability to find solutions to complex challenges were greatly acknowledged and appreciated by the Pakistani community. He was an exceptionally gifted human being and was counted among the distinguished diplomats who contributed tirelessly in promoting Pakistan’s national interest. He left behind a legacy of powerful and effective community services. The Pakistani community in Qatar still remembers him because of his services. He lived and died for Pakistan. He was always very kind and respectful to those who were engaged in community services. He not only provided funds but also gave his valuable time for any noble cause. I am witness to one fund raising event. It was Mahdi Hasan ghazal concert organised by Pakistan Cultural Forum at Sheraton Doha Hotel. Arbab sahib welcomed all guests at the entrance. With his efforts, renowned Qatar-based Pakistani businessman late Mian Muhammad Siddique set up a glass factory with a name of Toyo Nasic in Pakistan. After retirement from public assignments, Jehanzeb Arbab got engaged in horticulture activities.
Amanullah Khan,Lecturer in Chemistry and ex-vice principal PEC
Jehanzeb Arbab played the role of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Pakistan International School, formally known as PEC, was built in a record time of three years. The planning to construct this school started just after his arrival. The construction work started in 1982 and was completed in 1985. The first academic session started in 1985 after the school was inaugurated by the then president of Pakistan late Gen (retd) Zia-ul-Haq. Since 1985, this school has changed the life of thousands of students and teachers. After the death of Jehanzeb Arbab, a combined assembly of the entire school was held to pay tributes to him. Quraan khawani was arranged at the central mosque of the school. When I was a student at Karachi University in 1980, my elder brother Abdullah Khan was a teacher at PEC. He used to send money to me to complete my education. My five daughters received education from PEC. My whole family has benefited from the school. This is the reason I have a special love and respect for Jehanzeb Arbab.

Tahir Chaudhary,Founding president of Pak Youth Society and former member of PEC’s BOG
The Pakistani community will always fondly remember his services for Pakistan and Pakistani community in Qatar, especially the construction of the new building for Pakistan school. PEC is the first community school to have its own building on land donated by the Qatar government. He was very popular for his friendly relations with the community members.
Malik Sarfraz Khan,
Chairman, Safeeran-e-Watan
Jehanzeb Arbab played a major role in giving identity to the Pakistani community in Qatar. Qatari brothers hold Pakistanis in great esteem due to his foresightedness. Due to his efforts, Pakistan embassy moved to its own building in West Bay. He later constructed the PEC building and recruited highly qualified teachers, including my wife, from Pakistan. He laid special emphasis on the education of our children. Safeeran-e-Watan hosted a function in his honour when he came to Qatar in 2007. He was a brave soldier and participated in the country’s wars in 1965 and 1971. We will always cherish his sweet memories.
Mohammad Khan,Prominent Pakistani entrepreneur
We have sweet memories of Jehanzeb Arbab sahib. The construction of the school building was his biggest contribution for the community. He acquired land with the kindness of the Qatari government when no other expatriate school had its own building. He played a pivotal role in enhancing bilateral relations with Qatar in different domains. The Pakistani community is indebted to his services.
Zia ud Din Khurram,
Ex-Vice Principal PEC
Undoubtedly, Jehanzeb Arbab was a savior for Pakistani students. No sooner he took charge as the ambassador than he ventured out to provide excellent educational facilities to children of overseas Pakistanis in Qatar. To achieve this end, he took charge of Pakistan School and College in 1980 and revamped different departments of the institution and appointed qualified and experienced teachers. He decided to construct a modern building. The building was formerly inaugurated by Pakistan’s former president General (retd) Zia-ul-Haq on November 6, 1985.
copy short url   Copy
18/03/2020
2904