Abu Bakr Ahmad Haleem was an influential and pioneering Pakistani political scientist and the first vice-chancellor of Karachi University in 1951 and served in that position for 6 years. Before that, he was appointed the first vice-chancellor of the University of Sindh in 1947 and served in that position for 4 years until 1951. He spent most of his career teaching political science at the Karachi University and is regarded as having been "the influential political scientist" of Pakistan.
Early life and career
Abu Bakr Ahmed Haleem was born in 1897 in Irki village of Jehanabad, Bihar, British Indian Empire. He was subsequently educated at the Patna University where graduated with BA and MA in political science from the same university. Haleem was attained PhD in political science from the Oxford University and was called at Lincoln's Inn as Bar-at-law. Upon returning to India, Haleem accepted the professorship in history at the Aligarh Muslim University 1923. In 1944, he joined the Muslim League and took active participation in Pakistan Movement. At one point he reportedly told Muhammad Ali Jinnah: Mr. Jinnah, we are teaching history and you are making it." In support of Jinnah, the AMU was also closed on 3 November 1941. The University Muslim League also formed a writers committee under Professor A.B.A. Haleem which produced articles and pamphlets on Pakistan. After the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, Haleem was appointed the first Vice-Chancellor of Sindh University at the behest of Jinnah; later he would be ascended as the first Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University also, in 1951. He left the post of Pro Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University to join as Vice- Chancellor of Sindh University in 1947. He was also elected to the house of central province on Muslim League ticket. He continued his teaching on political science at Karachi University until he was appointed leading member of Council of Islamic Ideology in 1965 by the Government of Pakistan. In 1970, he became chairman of Pakistan Institute of International Affairs which he chaired until 1974. In 1975, he once returned to Karachi University to teach political science which he remained associated with until his death on 20 April 1975. His sons Muggan Haleem and Tariq Haleem are reputed entrepreneurs of Karachi. Tariq Haleem is Chairman of Standing Committee on Port Services and Shipping of Federation of Pakistani Chambers of Commerce and Industries.
Death and legacy
He died on 20 April 1975 in Karachi. After his death, the Pakistan Post issued a commemorative postage stamp in his honor in its series, 'Men of Letters', on 20 April 2003. One of his memorable speeches was to welcome Muhammad Ali Jinnah to an event. Professor Haleem reportedly said,"Mr. Jinnah, we are teaching history and you are making it."
