Muhammad Aslam Butt

Muhammad Aslam Butt
Official portrait of Muhammad Aslam Butt
Mayor of Gujranwala
In office
1980–1983
In office
1983–1987
In office
1988–1991
Personal details
OccupationPolitician

Muhammad Aslam Butt (Urdu: محمد اسلم بٹ ) was a Pakistani politician who served as mayor of Gujranwala for three terms between 1980 and 1991.[1]

Political career

He served three terms as Mayor of Gujranwala Municipal Corporation: 1980–1983, 1983–1987 and 1988–1991.[2]

First term (1980–1983)

During his first term, municipal works in the city included the construction of facilities that later became part of the sports and civic infrastructure, most notably the development of Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala, which subsequently hosted international cricket—including the 1989 One Day International in which Sachin Tendulkar made his ODI debut. [3]

Second term (1983–1987)

In 1983, 247 state kanals were allocated for the construction of a zoo project in Gujranwala; however,the work was not completed due to administrative issues.[4] On 20 July 1983, he inaugurated the Janazgah at Bara Qabristan (Kalan), providing a permanent facility for funeral prayers in the city. A commemorative plaque marks this contribution.[5] In 1985, he laid the foundation stone of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park (also known as Iqbal Garden) in Gujranwala, a project initiated to honor the poet-philosopher Allama Iqbal. The park was established with support from the Punjab administration and became one of the city’s major recreational spaces.[6][7] In December 1985, he inaugurated Jannat Bibi Park in Gujranwala, as recorded on a commemorative plaque dated 24 December 1985.[8]

On 4 February 1987, he laid the foundation stone for the renovation of Liaqat Bagh, Gujranwala, during his tenure as Mayor. [9] In 1987, he was involved in the establishment of Quaid-e-Azam Divisional Public School, a contribution acknowledged on the school's commemorative plaque. [10]

In 1987, he oversaw the construction of the Municipal Corporation Building, Gujranwala, and laid its foundation stone on 29 October 1987 as Mayor of Gujranwala Municipal Corporation.[11]

Third term (1988-1991)

In 1988, Jinnah Library, Gujranwala, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif.[12] The project had been initiated in 1987 under the supervision of Commissioner A.Z.K. Sherdil, with support from the Punjab Library Foundation. Al-Haj Muhammad Aslam Butt, as Mayor of Gujranwala, facilitated the project by providing land and municipal resources.[13][14]

During his tenure as mayor, he allocated funds for the repair of the historic Gujranwala Clock Tower, but the restoration work could not be completed due to administrative negligence.[15]

In 1991, he inaugurated Sagheer Shaheed Park in Gujranwala.[16] In the same period, he oversaw the installation of fountains at Jannat Bibi Park (1990), and on 4 March 1991, he inaugurated the Liaqat Bagh fountains during the Mayor’s Conference.[17][18]

Personal life

His son, Engineer Muhammad Ashraf butt, was elected as a provincial member assembly of Punjab in a by-election.[19]

Death

Butt died in Gujranwala in December 2016 at the age of 85. He was buried in Bara Qabristan (Kalan) Gujranwala.[20]

Legacy

A road in Gujranwala was named Mayor Aslam Butt Road in recognition of his public service.[21][22]

Awards and recognition

In 2021, Butt was posthumously honored with the Heroes of Gujranwala – Pride of Pakistan award by the Gujranwala Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The award was presented by Dr. Arif Alvi, President of Pakistan. [23][24]

References

  1. ^ "Muhammad Aslam Butt". Political and Sports News. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  2. ^ "Page 108 – Gujranwala Gazetteer". gazetteers.punjab.gov.pk. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  3. ^ "Sachin Tendulkar Debut and last played matches in Tests, ODIs, T20Is and other formats". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  4. ^ "26 revenue, municipality officials called in ACE zoo land scam inquiry". Dawn. Pakistan. 20 July 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  5. ^ Janazgah Qabristan Kalan Foundation Plaque Gujranwala 1983.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/51/Janazgah_Qabristan_Kalan_Foundation_Plaque_Gujranwala_1983.jpg
  6. ^ Foundation Stone of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Gujranwala (1985).jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Foundation_Stone_of_Gulshan-e-Iqbal_Park%2C_Gujranwala_%281985%29.jpg
  7. ^ Commemorative Plaque of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Gujranwala.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c9/Commemorative_Plaque_of_Gulshan-e-Iqbal_Park%2C_Gujranwala.jpg
  8. ^ Jannat Bibi Ladies Park Inauguration Plaque Gujranwala 1985.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1d/Jannat_Bibi_Ladies_Park_Inauguration_Plaque_Gujranwala_1985.jpg
  9. ^ Liaqat Bagh Renovation Foundation Stone Plaque Gujranwala 1987.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Liaqat_Bagh_Renovation_Foundation_Stone_Plaque_Gujranwala_1987.jpg
  10. ^ Quaid-e-Azam Divisional Public School Commemorative Plaque, Gujranwala, 1987.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/58/Quaid-e-Azam_Divisional_Public_School_Commemorative_Plaque%2C_Gujranwala%2C_1987.jpg
  11. ^ Municipal Corporation Building Foundation Stone Plaque Gujranwala 1987.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/82/Municipal_Corporation_Building_Foundation_Stone_Plaque_Gujranwala_1987.jpg
  12. ^ Inauguration Plaque of Jinnah Library Gujranwala(1988).jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/88/Inauguration_Plaque_of_Jinnah_Library_Gujranwala_%281988%29.jpg
  13. ^ Founders of Jinnah Library Gujranwala (Portraits).jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c0/Founders_of_Jinnah_Library_Gujranwala_%28Portraits%29.jpg
  14. ^ Inauguration Plaque of Jinnah Library.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/83/Inauguration_Plaque_of_Jinnah_Library.jpg
  15. ^ گھنٹہ گھر برسوں سے چپ گوجرانوالہ کی تاریخ فنا کے گھاٹ اترنے لگی https://dunya.com.pk/index.php/city/gujranwala/2013-01-02/37963
  16. ^ Sagheer Shaheed Park Inauguration Plaque Gujranwala 1991.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Sagheer_Shaheed_Park_Inauguration_Plaque_Gujranwala_1991.jpg
  17. ^ Jannat Bibi Ladies Park Fountains Inauguration Plaque Gujranwala 1990.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/38/Jannat_Bibi_Ladies_Park_Fountains_Inauguration_Plaque_Gujranwala_1990.jpg
  18. ^ Liaqat Bagh Water Fountains Inauguration Plaque Gujranwala 1991.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/30/Liaqat_Bagh_Water_Fountains_Inauguration_Plaque_Gujranwala_1991.jpg
  19. ^ "Punjab Assembly | Members – Members' Directory". pap.gov.pk. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  20. ^ "Muhammad Aslam Butt". Political and Sports News. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  21. ^ "Roznama Dunya Gujranwala EDITION 05 January 2023 |Daily Dunya ePaper|Roznama Dunya| Urdu Newspaper | Daily Urdu News". e.dunya.com.pk. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  22. ^ Mayor Muhammad Aslam Butt Road Sign, Gujranwala.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b9/Mayor_Muhammad_Aslam_Butt_Road_Sign%2C_Gujranwala.jpg
  23. ^ President stresses need to enhance country's exports https://www.radio.gov.pk/28-09-2021/president-stresses-need-to-enhance-countrys-exports-to-strengthen-economy
  24. ^ Heroes of Gujranwala Award presented posthumously to Muhammad Aslam Butt by President Arif Alvi, 2021.jpghttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/50/Heroes_of_Gujranwala_Award_presented_posthumously_to_Muhammad_Aslam_Butt_by_President_Arif_Alvi%2C_2021.jpg