Muhammad Ashraf's

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Salah-uddin

I was born 1950 in a small village Rana Bhatti, District Sheikhupura, Pakistan. My father was a school teacher and religious person. He left us 1992, at the age of 83. May God bless his soul, Amin. My mother had been a contented housewife through out in her life. She left us 7 years after the death of my father on 28th Jan. 1999. May God bless her soul with eternal peace, Amin.

We were 5 brothers and 5 sisters, I am the 8th child. 3 brothers and 4 sisters are elder than me. One brother and one sister died in very young age.

My brother, second from the top, the most intelligent among us all. With God given qualities, he was highly educated and a successful man. He was BA., M.Ed., L.L.B. and Triple M.A: Urdu, English and Persian. He started his career as high school teacher. After Public Service Commission competition exam, he could have been a senior judge today of some high court.

He was fond of hunting. He drowned while hunting with his colleagues in Ravi River, on 2nd of Feb. 1976. May God bless his soul with eternal peace. This loss was a devastating blow for the entire family.

He was lucky in almost every respect. He had many children, few died within few days of birth. He left five children. 2 sons: M. Afzal and M. Akmal; One daughter: Shaista Naheed; One son: Salah-uddin; One daughter bore 5 months after his death: Robina Aslam. It is a common practice that father, mother or grand parents, suggest name for a new-born baby in a family. I don't know why? I gave name to all but the eldest boy, No body objected it and instead everybody was happy.

The eldest son is married and has 2 sons. one is little over 2 years and the second is soon one year.

The third child, the eldest dotter, Shaista Naheed is engaged and Inshaallah, soon going to move to America after marriage.

My family lived in a village very near to the second largest city in Pakistan, Lahore.My father worked hard and honest provided everything to the family. We were lucky and a happy family.

Education had never been a problem for me. I had guidance from my father, religious basic education before school start and during primary and middle school too. Final year of middle and during High school my elder brother guided me in the best possible way he could do.

I was second in my class in Middle School, First in my class, in High School. I joined Agricultural University Lyallpur in 1965. I was second among all those who got admission from District Sheikhupura. So I got a five-year Scholarship.

I was regular and started with daily morning exercise and physical training right from teen-age. I was fond of athletics, My favorite event was pole-vault. I participated in several athletics tournaments during my stay in university. I was more inclined towards athletics.

I engaged myself more in preparation to join army. The competition was very high and I Had to improve my general knowledge and gather all concerned information about the various types of exams. etc. I had neither approach what so ever, to obtain such information, nor any kind of help to get this type of information. I did not know anybody or had contact even with the lowest rank in the army. However Imanaged to complete my BSc. (honours) degree in Agricuture (Entomology) in 1970.

One Unit (East and West Pakistan) broke during that time and lot of people working in East Pakistan came back. There were a lot of surplus highly qualified people. It was extremely hard for a fresh graduate to find a job. I was, however never disappointed or demoralized and I continued my struggle to join Pakistan Army.

I was selected in 1971 and joined The Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul near Abbot Abad late 1971, I passed out in 1972 as a commissioned officer and joined 22 Field Artillery Regiment in Lahore at that time as 2nd Lieutenant. I left army 2nd Sep. 1977, as Captain.

I went to Nigeria, I got a job as lecturer and Farm Manager, in Bakura Agricultural College in Sokoto State (Northern Nigeria). This college was a branch of Zaria University in Kaduna State. I taught there for almost 2 years. Joined an Italian construction firm there for a short period and was sent to Italy and then to Senegal. I stayed in Senegal for 5 years, learned French and got interested in business.

I came to Sweden 29 Dec. 1983, learned Swedish and Firm management with Import and Export specialization 1985-86. I opened my own private company and started importing clothes from England. During 1989, I felt that the import of clothes was no longer attractive, I changed to Crystal branch.

I bought a reasonably big, crystal gift items store in a small port town. Iraq war started and the entire word went into recession. Very few tourists came to visit Stockholm and very less money in their pockets almost not enough money to buy expensive crystal items as present. Present Shops were one of the first branch of business, that was badly effected. I tried to remain within the branch, I bought another store in Stockholm's main crystal market. I fought hard for 3 year to exist, The recession prolonged. In spite of my best effort and wish to remain in the same attractive and beautiful branch, I could not continue with the Stores due to continually every month loss during the last 9 months. It was a bad luck to start with

something at a wrong time.

In 1994, I stated learning Computer and got introduction to various subjects. I am not an expert or professional but I can manage to work in some fields.

Last updated: 990527

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