Master Afzal Hussain — an unsung hero of Pakistan

At the time of independence, it was the green crescent flag that became an emblem of belief and determination of our freedom.

The green flag is a sign of our pride and identity throughout the world as it's swinging in the sky fills us with enthusiasm and fervour. But many of us don’t even know the name of the first flag maker, despite the flag being a critical part of every Pakistani's identity.

Master Afzal Hussain, the man who stitched Pakistan's  first flag

History might not forget us if we don’t remember the name of the hidden national hero of Pakistan — Master Afzal Hussain.

The first flag of Pakistan was stitched by him, but he is barely known by anyone known to us. He lived in obscurity.

The national flag of Pakistan was designed by Ameer-ud-din Qudwai, while the first flag was stitched by Master Afzal Hussain and his younger brother Altaf Hussain in June 1947, two months before independence.

The 67-year-old hidden hero of the country is resting in peace in Karachi.

His family is still living a hard and obscure life.

The national hero who lived a hard life

Master Afzal Hussain lived a helpless and hard life as he was diagnosed with bone cancer at the latter end of his life and died on July 15, 1987.

Master Afzal Hussain was an active and long-held worker of the Pakistan Movement and had a tailor shop in Delhi. Many famous politicians of the time and leadership of the Pakistan Movement visited his shop to get sherwanis stitched.

But after partition, Afzal Hussain sacrificed everything and moved to Karachi, where the hidden hero of Pakistan went into seclusion and never told anyone about his stupendous work of stitching the first flag for the motherland.

Acknowledgement of Afzal Hussain’s glorious work

Master Afzal Hussain lived a very poor life. He didn't have his own house and lived on rent in Karachi. Acclaimed scholar Hakim Mohammad Saeed unfolded the heroics and identity of Master Afzal to the nation.

The efforts of Hakim Mohammad Saeed bore fruit in May 1979, when during his visit to Karachi then president-general Ziaul Haq announced to honour him with the Pride of Performance accolade and gave him Rs5,000 as a reward. Unfortunately, however, he kept waiting to receive the Pride of Performance and breathed his last in July 1987.

Controversy between two families

There was a controversy between the families of Master Afzal Hussain and his younger brother Altaf Hussain, soon after Ziaul Haq's announcement of giving Afzal the Pride of Performance.

Altaf's family claimed that it was Altaf Hussain who had stitched the first flag of Pakistan and not Afzal.

However, Afzal's family says that both brothers together stitched the flag.

'Nation's dilemma that we have forgotten our heroes'

The family of Master Afzal Hussain expressed grave concern over not recognising Afzal as a national hero and demanded the government acknowledge his glorious work of tailoring as the first national flag maker at the official level.

Afzal Hussain's son-in-law Mohammad Mehtab said, “It's the nation's dilemma that we have forgotten our heroes, however, I urge the government to take serious steps so his name be remembered in the history of Pakistan.”

Master Afzal's daughter also expressed her disapproval over her father's work not being acknowledged at the national level.

“My father has stitched the first flag of Pakistan but the nation has failed to remember his splendid work. Therefore, I demand the government show serious efforts to keep his name alive,” she said.