Epigraph:
Surely every hour that follows is better for thee (Muhammad) than the one that precedes. (Al Quran 93:5)
Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sharif Khan received the life time achievement award, given by the Zoological Society of Pakistan (ZSP), for the year 2014.
The award was conferred during the 34th Pakistan Congress of Zoology (international) held at Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, on 25th February, 2014.
The Zoologists, who gathered in Dacca in 1968 on the occasion of the Annual Conference of Pakistan Association for the Advancement of Science, decided to form a society for promotion of science of zoology and a all branches of science, both pure and applied. In order to promote science by organizing seminars, symposia and conferences throughout Pakistan, moreover, providing facilities for publication of the research work being done in the country.
The Society has existed since 1968.
Prof. Sharif Khan was born in 1939. He Graduated from University of the Punjab in 1960 and obtained M.Sc. in Zoology from Punjab University, Lahore in 1963. He was awarded Sir William Roberts Gold Medal for standing first in the M.Sc. final examination.
Prof. Muhammad Sharif Khan
Prof. Khan started his carrier from Talimul Islam College, Rabwah as Lecturer in 1963 and retired from that college in 1999, after 36 years of service as Associate Professor of Zoology. During his stay in that small town, he acclaimed international fame.
He proved himself to be the lone herpetologist of Pakistan.
At present, ZSP has on its Roll 327 Fellows, and 115 Life Fellows. Besides that, there are 10 honorary Fellows.
The Society organizes annually the Pakistan Congress of Zoology and publishes its Proceedings and brings out the Pakistan Journal of Zoology.
Dr. Khan started working on herps of Pakistan when the knowledge about herps in Pakistan was about nil. When his first research article was published in 1965 in Biologia, Lahore which was based on his M.Sc. thesis “Development of Bufo melanostictus,” Dr. Robert Mertens from Germany sent a letter to Dr. Khan correcting the name of the toad as Bufo stomaticus on which Dr. Khan and his supervisor had worked for about 2 years. This shows the level of knowledge about amphibians among the zoologists in Pakistan at that time.
Dr. Khan pioneered the study of herps in Pakistan. Dr. Khan has searched almost every corner of Pakistan for reptiles and amphibians and discovered 34 new species, which include 11 snakes, 15 lizards and 8 amphibians.
Prof. Khan has published more than 250 research papers in different scientific journals of the world. He has authored 10 books on amphibians and reptiles of Pakistan in English, Urdu and German languages.
His books include, (i) Amphibians and Reptiles of Pakistan. Krieger Publishing Company, Melbourne, Florida 32902, USA, 2006, (ii) Die Schlangen Pakistans, Bucher-Kreth GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany, 2002 and (iii) The Snakes of Pakistan, Bucher-Kreth GmbH, Frankfurt, Germany, 2002.
Dr. Khan has worked on different research projects with WWF-Pakistan and Pakistan Science Foundation. He has supervised a number of M.Sc theses. After his retirement, he donated all his collection to the Natural History Museum, Government College University, Lahore, which includes a countless number of different species of amphibians and reptiles.
Dr. Khan has trained a number of young scientists which are forwarding his mission.
In recognition of his contribution to the field of Herpetology Dr. Khan was also awarded the Zoologist of the year award in 2002.
Now Dr. Khan is spending a retired life in USA with his son.
To learn more about the Zoological Society of Pakistan, please click here
To visit Prof. Khan’s website, click here
To send email to Prof. Khan: typhlops99@outlook.com
Please read his book about snakes of Pakistan: Snakes of Pakistan from 1993 (URDU)
Please read his book about frogs of Pakistan: Frogs of Pakistan from 2000 (URDU)
Prof. Khan is not only a great Zoologist, I have always found him to be a person of great integrity and insight.
May Allah make this award a source of additional blessings.
Thanks very much for your appreciation of my humble effort
Congratulations on your achievement we are proud of you May you succeed further more and Allah keep u safe from all the troubles Prof. Dr. Muhammad Sharif Khan God bless u Ameen
Thanks very much for your appreciation of my humble effort
thanks very much for your kind words
Hearty congratulations for a well deserved award for Dr. Khan who has dedicated his life towards the matter of zoological research even after his retirement fifteen years ago.
thaks anis sahib for your kind words
Congratulations to Professor Muhammad Shareef Khan. A man with soft heart, a sufi and scholarly, great and noble human being is always my mentor. He dedicated his life for knowledge and research. He taught thousands of students in Taleemul Islam College, Rabwah, Pakistan. There he built not only the character of the students, but nurture them to attain knowledge and research. His current achievement award is a proof of his legacy and highest performance in zoological research and advancement.
Thanks very much for your appreciation of my humble effort. it was all due to good wishes of my mentors
Barak Allahu ! Congratulations to Dr.Mohammed Sharif Khan sahib for the life time achievement award he won.
He is no doubt a great scientist, a teacher and a human being caring for others at his best.
May Allah The Almighty keep him happy and in good health all the time.
thanks chaudhary sahib for your appreciation and kindness
Congratulations to Professor sahib for this achievements. I wish and hope many of our youngsters will stride in his footsteps and will carry the torch of research farther. Karimullah khan
Thanks khan sahib for your appreciation and kindness
Punjab University took years to grant him a Ph.D. which he deserved much earlier. I am so pleased to know that Pakistan Congress of Zoology (international), awarded him what he well deserved. There is hope.
My hearty congratulations to Dr. Muhammad Sharif Khan sahib – my mentor. I am proud to be one of his many students, who he continues to mentor as of today. Dr. Khan offered his services to teach biology in a scientifically remote town called Rabwah but he demonstrated that nothing could come in the way of acquiring knowledge. Where there is will, there is a way. He did exemplary work in science from a place with meager to no resources – a model worth following. Dr. Khan you are an inspiration to us.
Thanks dr Karim…who better than you know the situation in Pakistan, however, hard work always pays….when you have to deal with such inquisitive students like you…
Barak Allah, Dear “Austadedul Mohtaram”, You deserved more than that. We know how you dedicate your life, day & night not only in acquiring knowledge but exhaust all your energy & resources to convey to others. We witness as student how you start your day & end your evenings with limited resources & humble lifestyle. You are a great very humble, loving teacher whose caliber is very high. May ALLAH bless you a very happy healthy life.
thanks Aizaz for your appreiation and kindness. let me ask, where are you now..
Very well deserved, MaShaAllah, and long time coming. Please accept my heart felt greetings on behalf of all your students.
Allah Bless,
Amjad Qureshi
dear qureshi sahib…thanks for your appreciation, dedication to what ever little r insignificant cause always pays,n alhamdoLLIAH
qureshi sahib thanks very much
Many congratulations to Doctor Sahib!
thanks very much for your kind words
In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious Ever Merciful
Let us not forget that behind a successful man is the hand of a (successful) lady. Dr. M. Sharif Khan is no exception to this rule. This Credit not only go to him, but equally share by his late and beloved wife. Her soul today would be dancing with gratitude that her lifelong sacrifices became fruitful. While congratulation to Dr. Khan, let us pray for his beloved wife Allah may exalt her status in paradise. Also the Credit goes to Kholafa for their patronage and his parents whose affectionate prayers resulted in this grace, they also deserve our prayers… I also congratulate his sons as the success of father is inherited by his children, they may be on the footprint of their father Aameen.
I wish and pray that by the Grace of Allah, there be countless Dr. Salam and Dr. Khan in our Jama’at.
Last but not the least I pray for his happy long mobile and successful life. Aameen.
Wassalam
Zarif Ahmad
mohtrma farhat sahiba….thank you very much for your appreciation
dear zarif sahib b thanks for your supportive words and appreciation.
Asak,
Its very great achievement.
May Allahtaala always bless Janab Prof. Muhammad Sharif Khan sab, with a healthy & peaceful life with lots of more achievement.
Wassalam,
Zahid
thanks zahid sahib fr your appreciation
A wonderful news for Jama’at and all the close friends and his relatives. Whatever AMC members do be done with great passion and interest. Such is the case Prof. Sharif Khan. Today he become another beacon for Muslim Ummah. Though award was given by 34th Pakistan Congress of Zoology (international) held at Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, on 25th February, 2014. However, this shows at very high level Pakistan’s true intellectuals do not harbor any prejudices. Therefore, I congratulation to committee who has displayed a beautiful gesture of highest character and professionalism. I wish Pakistan should observe a holiday for achievement of all Pakistanis of international fame and present them as mentors for new generation of Pakistan. The name should be included of Dr. Salam, Ch. Sir Mohammad Zafarullah Khan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Ayub Khan, Air Marshal Zafar Chaudhry, first Chief of Air Staff of Pakistan, former Managing Director of Pakistan International Airlines; Lieutenant General Akhtar Hussain Malik, 1965 war hero who launched Operation Grand Slam leading Pakistani army deep into Indian held Kashmir. Lieutenant General Abdul Ali Malik led Pakistan in the largest Tank battle since World War II taking Indians by surprise. Major General Iftikhar Janjua- 1965 war hero, highest Pakistan army officer to be killed in action.These are some from the days gone but we honor current heroes of Pakistan from every sect of religion without mentioning or even hinting about sects or religion.
We have to be one nation like a bouquet of flowers.
mohtram malik sahib
i am humble servant of jamaat, very far below the status of the personalities you mentioned.
anyway i am thankful for your kind words