eptember 9 marked the second death anniversary of Rahimullah Yusufzai, the noted journalist and welfare worker.

Rahimullah Yusufzai, was a man of high moral values. His was a towering personality. He was loved by many and looked up to by most. He earned the respect of those he worked with.

He excelled in all aspects of his life. Honesty and devotion to family and work were some of the reasons for his phenomenal success. From his journalistic endeavours to all the social causes he was invested in, various chapters of his life require separate mention.

Progressive, accepting and always there for others, the late Yusufzai supported the downtrodden at every step of his life. Unparalleled as a reporter, analyst and editor, Rahimullah Yusufzai’s was a life well-spent.

He always had an alert and open mind. At the same time, he was always willing to help the downtrodden. He never missed an opportunity to contribute for the welfare of common people.

He may have won prestigious awards for his work as a journalist, but to the people of his area, he was primarily a social worker.

Yusufzai was always engaged in welfare activities in his area. He would take time out of his busy schedule to contact welfare organisations, philanthropists and personal friends and utilise their support to serve the poverty-stricken people.

Despite round-the-clock journalistic activities and, towards the end of his career, a fragile health, his contributions in the social sector were unmatched.

“It gives me immense pleasure and mental comfort to rescue the needy and the oppressed,” he would say. His passion in life was to help those who needed it the most.

He had inherited this spirit from his father, the late Subedar Adam Khan. To date, the locals harbour immense respect for Khan. The selfless service of both father and son is fondly remembered.

This spirit of serving humanity has been passed down to the next generation of the extended Amir Khel-Yusufzai family. Rahimullah Yusufzai’s son Arshad Mehmood Yusufzai, has taken the responsibility upon him. Over his philanthropic career Yousafzai arranged weddings of 99 orphan boys and girls, giving each couple dowry items worth Rs 100,000.

Rahimullah Yusufzai, despite his fame, led a very simple life. He won hearts through welfare work. To pay homage to his meritorious activities on his second death anniversary, the Shama Welfare Organisation arranged ten weddings.  

He also donated 116 wheelchairs with support from the Akhuwat Foundation, Lahore, for disabled people from nearby villages. Twenty more will be donated this month.

With help from the Japanese government, Yusufzai also established a kindergarten. The cost of the project was Rs 8 million.

From a grid station to the construction of Katlang Buner Road sanctioned by Katlang Wapda sub-division and many tube wells in the area, Rahimullah Yususfzai is credited with bringing development projects to his area.

Every year, he used to arrange winter kits for school-going children. He donated 8,350 pairs of shoes, thousands of socks, bathrooms, drinking water facilities, electric fans, chairs and desks for students from low-income backgrounds.

Every year, he would organise the Parents Day in Badar and Shamozai schools, bearing the expenses from his own pocket. Students who had excelled in various competitions were given prizes and gift.

He also arranged medical camps in the area where 150 major surgeries were performed. Specialist doctors treated patients in these camps.

Ramazan packages were distributed among needy people on a large scale. Because of his efforts, a gas pipeline project will soon be completed for 21 villages.

He also extended financial help to many newly constructed mosques and helped orphans, widows, and the disabled with secret donations.

Yusufzai revived the famous local sport, Makha, and arranged its yearly tournaments, inviting dignitaries as special guests.

Rahimullah Yusufzai, despite his fame, led a very simple life. He won hearts through his social work. To pay homage to his meritorious activities on his second death anniversary, the Shama Welfare Organisation (established by him) arranged ten weddings.

He greatly supported the Baizai area and worked for the cause of the poor with great devotion and honesty. The people of Baizai will always be proud of Rahimullah Yusufzai’s achievements.

The writer is the public relations officer for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa IGP. He is a nephew of late Rahimullah Yusufzai