Malik Ata Muhammad Khan, popularly known as Prince Malik Ata was a Pakistani feudal lord and politician. He was the chief of Kot Fateh Khan in Attock District of North Western Punjab, Pakistan. He was also a member of the Punjab Assembly between 1990 and 1993. Malik Ata was known for his equestrian hobbies. He was the first elected President of the Equestrian & Tent Pegging Federation of Pakistan. He was well known in Pakistan for his attempts to promote tentpegging and bull races. He was one of the founders of the International Tent Pegging Federation which is recognised by the FEI. He was the Vice-President of International Tent Pegging Federation.
History
He was the chief of Kot Fateh and 84 villages conquered by his successor nearly 350 years ago. He was the dear son of Gheba from Attock, and was nephew and son in law of Nawab Malik Ameer Muhammad Khan Awan, ex Governor of West Pakistan.
Political career
In 1988, he contested election on the Islami Jamhoori Ittihad platform Thereafter in 1990, Malik Ata Muhammad Khan again contested the election from his home constituency and was elected and served the provincial assembly of the Punjab from 5 November 1990 to 28 June 1993. After his father's death in 1996, he assumed the responsibilities of the family and management of the estate, hence why he was unable to continue his work in politics.
An international tent pegging competition was held in February 2013 at University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. This was the first time more than two international teams visited Pakistan to participate in an international event, with the competitors being England, Pakistan, South Africa and a United Nations team. The teams were invited by Malik Ata who was the chief organiser.
International Tent Pegging Federation
In his preliminary address at the 2013 World Equestrian Tent Pegging Championship held in Gurgaon, India, Ata expressed the desire for a world organisation to address the FEI. The participants created the World Tent Pegging Federation, of which Ata was elected honorary president. At the second World Tent Pegging Federation Meeting held in Oman on 27 October 2013, Ata was elected a member of the Executive Committee to serve for four years.
Media appearances
He was mentioned in BBC series Michael Palin's Himalaya production. Michael Palin during his trip to South Asia visited Malik Ata's home town. He witnessed some traditional activities and bulls race event there. He was the subject of a short documentary produced by the BBC entitled "One Man and his Horse" in 1983. Malik Ata was also subject of a documentary "Malik Ata and his love for the traditional sports". It was presented by Trans World Sport Channel with the co operation of BBC. Producer Sophia Swire along with her team visited traditional bulls at Kot Fateh Khan. He also appeared in PTV's 1998 drama Alpha Bravo Charlie produced by ISPR and directed by Pakistani drama and film directorShoaib Mansoor. He appeared in the movie "Verna", played the role of a governor. Many scenes have been shot in his haveli at Kot Fateh Khan.
