Rahbar Kisan International (RKI), the revived vision of the late Abdul Rashid Qureshi, proudly continues a legacy of journalism. Originally launched by Qureshi in January 1956, this publication, initially based in Sialkot and Mirpur, has been reshaped as a bilingual newspaper from August 14, 2021, under the guidance of his son, Haroon Rashid Qureshi.
Born in Jammu shortly before the end of World War I, Abdul Rashid Qureshi overcame early hardships, becoming an orphan at a young age. Raised by his devoted mother, he pursued his education with resilience, ultimately earning a BEd from Shri Pratab Singh College in Srinagar.
After the partition, Qureshi settled in Sialkot, Pakistan, where his passion for education and journalism flourished. He launched the educational journal Nizam-e-Taleem in 1949 and went on to establish Rahbar Kisan in 1956, a newspaper dedicated to agriculture and community awareness.
His life reflected the transformative power of education and resilience—a legacy he cherished until his passing on November 19, 2001.
The relaunch of RKI has brought Qureshi’s dream back to life as a bilingual publication, reaching readers across 83 countries and boasting contributions from more than 100 writers.
Spearheading the revival, Haroon Rashid Qureshi, based in Qatar and a retired banker, was instrumental in restructuring RKI, working closely with his journalist daughter Azmat Haroon. Together, they have assembled three guiding boards—Editorial, Advisory, and Patrons—to advance Abdul Rashid Qureshi’s mission of promoting journalism and literature in both Urdu and English with renewed vigor.
The editorial board comprises experienced journalists who bring diverse skills and vision to RKI’s journalistic endeavours. The board includes Haroon Rashid Qureshi (Editor-in-Chief); Azmat Haroon (Editor); Shahid Rashid Qureshi (Executive Editor); Zahid Sheikh (Executive Editor Gulf region); Sajjad Ahmed Sheikh (Bureau Chief, Muscat, Oman); Mohammad Shafiq (Chief Sub Editor); Arooj Haroon (Graphic Designer); and Azhar Ul Haq Naseem (Website Developer).
The advisory board consists of distinguished scholars and writers from around the world who support RKI’s mission of promoting Urdu and English literature and journalism.
The board includes Dr Amir Sohail, an esteemed educator and scholar with over 28 years of academic experience, known for his contributions to linguistic and stylistic studies; Feroz Khan Afridi, Founder of Pak Pashto Adabi Tolana and a dedicated promoter of Pashto and Urdu literature; Dr Muhammad Haneef Khan, an acclaimed fiction writer and academic, celebrated for his numerous literary awards and a holder of PhD from the Aligarh Muslim University; and Dr Faisal Hanif, economist and chairman of Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar, a leader in Urdu language advocacy and education.
The patrons board, composed entirely of Abdul Rashid Qureshi’s children, provides both financial and strategic guidance, ensuring RKI’s enduring relevance in today’s digital world. This board embodies the values instilled by their father, with members including Abdul Hamid Qureshi, Humayoon Rashid Qureshi, Haroon Rashid Qureshi, Hamid Rashid Qureshi (Billu), Shahid Rashid Qureshi, and Zahid Rashid Qureshi.
Each member of the patrons board is dedicated to preserving and honouring their father’s legacy by supporting the newspaper’s mission to promote cultural awareness and literary growth across linguistic and cultural boundaries.
Under Haroon Qureshi’s coordination, RKI aims to foster a thriving, inclusive platform where Urdu and English language and literature can flourish, furthering the legacy of his father through the vision of his family.
With a renewed mission and a dedicated team, RKI continues to bridge cultures and communities—sharing the world’s stories in words that inspire and inform. One can visit RKI website http://www.rahbarkisan.com for more details.
