He belonged to a very prestigious cast Awan. His father Malik Muhammed Arif was a teacher. He received his religious education under the supervision of his father. He got primary education in a local school in Khushab. He passed Matriculation examination from Govt. High School Khushab in 1944. His maternal grandfather, a skilled educationist, was appointed as Headmaster at a Govt. Therefore, he wa
s sent to his maternal. He did F.Sc from Govt. Inter college Jhang and graduation from Govt. Degree College Jhang. He was a hardworking student who passed every examination by obtaining first division. Then he moved to Lahore; here he did M.Sc in Mathematics from Government Islamia College Civil Lines, Lahore and M.A. in English from Government College, Lahore. He was an excellent player of hockey for which he was awarded a colour. He started writing for college magazine "Ravian" when he was a student. He used to write in Urdu as well as in English.
