Pertavi Shah

[RahmatHajikuttch]

Dr. Allamah Nasir al-Din Nasir Hunzai (b. 1917) is a Pakistani writer and poet, known for his work on Islam and the Burushaski language.

He was born as Pertavi Shah in Hyderabad, a small village of Hunza in the Northern Areas of Pakistan. Since early childhood he was inclined towards esoteric meanings in faith. According to him his life, since the beginning has been full of hardships, oppositions and obstructions but he was not deterred and continued his efforts towards enlightenment and self education - and thus made efforts to make the Ismailis and Muslims feel the importance of their faith and its inner meaning. Inspired by the preachings and teachings of Pir Nasir Khusraw and a thirst for wisdom and understanding of a deeper meaning of life and existence, he devoted his life to self-exploration and in the service of Ismaili faith and its spiritual meaning.

There have also been mentions of him being a heratic and has had his works banned from ismaili religious centers.

His son Izhar Hunzai, born in Hunza, is a social scientist who currently serves as the General Manager of the Aga Khan Rural Support Programme in Gilgit, Pakistan.

A sufi poet of many languages, he is the author of more than hundred books/booklets on spirituality.

Dr. Nasir has interpreted Quranic verses from a new perspective with an emphasis on the inner meaning and wisdom of the Quran. Mr Hunzai’s creative and research work is appreciated world wide.