Written by Sawera Zahir,
Raja Saqib Munir the former commissioner of district Neelum, died a tragic death on 28 February 2013 when a big boulder hit his vehicle while it was passing through a landslide affected portion of the Muzaffarabad-Neelum road near Kohori village. The young civil service officer with a bright career ahead died on the spot while he was on his way to the valley’s headquarters. The death of extraordinary talented and highly motivated officer known for his honesty and dedication came as a great shock not only to his family but to the people whom he had served during his short tenure as a civil services officer.
Hailing from Bandala village of Southern Bhimber district Mr. Munir was born on 12 August 1979 in a highly educated and well off family having a long legacy of producing fertile minds who have served in the public and private sector organisations from time to time. His grand father Hameed-ul-Allah Khan was a retired Tehsildar whereas his grand grand-father Raja Shair Muhammad Khan was counted as one amongst the most revered and influential personalities of the region during the Moghal period. Before the partition his maternal uncle Raja Anwar Ali Khan was agriculture minister of Gilgit Baltistan. Shaheed Munir’s maternal uncle Raja Azhar Iqbal is currently discharging his duties as Director General Public Relations government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Raja Sqib Munir Shaheed received his early education from his mother at Girls High School Bandala. He passed Matric (10th) from Shaheen Model School Mirpur with distinction and passed F.Sc with higher marks from Kashmir Model School Mirpur. After graduation he successfully did masters degree in English from Government College. Saqib Munir Shaheed a recipient of gold medal achieved a lot more after completing his Master’s degree. He passed competitive exams like CSS and AJK PSC with higher grades. Since he had a great passion to work in civil services he was finally appointed as Assistant Commissioner in 2006 after passing AJK PSC exams with a very high mark. After completing his training from Civil Services Academy Lahore Saqib Munir worked for some time under the patronage of then Deputy Commissioner of Mirpur Fayaz Ali Abbasi. Later he was formally posted as Assistant Commissioner Bagh AJK. Subsequently he rendered his services as Assistant Commissioner Burnala and Kotli. From Kotli he was transferred to Muzaffarabad after being elevated to the position of Additional Deputy Commissioner General. Saqib Munir a brilliant, energetic and devoted officer had served in many capacities and performed his duties with utmost conviction as Additional Deputy Commissioner General, Deputy Commissioner Rehabilitation and lastly in 2012 he was appointed as Deputy Commissioner district Neelum. Shaheed was widely hailed as an upright, honest and dedicated officer whose services will be remembered by the people for a longtime. He left for his heavenly abode on 13 February 2013. His family and well wishers are still missing him and will certainly continue to miss. Today, 28-February 2019 is his 5th martyrdom anniversary, May Allah SWT bless the noble soul and grant him highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous (Aameen).
