He has obtained his LLB from the University of Balochistan, Quetta and his Master's in Social Work from the University of the Punjab, Lahore.^[6]

A polyglot, he's fluent in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto and Persian while he has working knowledge of Arabic and Balochi.^[6]

During an interview, Orya Maqbool Jan revealed that he had a love-marriage with a student at the college where he used to teach.^[7]

He has one son and two daughters. All of his children are foreign educated, in the UK and the US.^[8]

On 13 May 2023, he was arrested from his house in a crackdown on PTI leaders and their supporters.^[9]

Literature and television serials edit

Orya Maqbool Jan is a prominent Pakistani columnist, poet, playwright, and anchorperson. His poetry collection "Qamat" was published in 1988. Over a span of seventy years, he has been actively engaged in scriptwriting for Pakistan Television. His notable drama series, including "Roazan," "Gardab," "Shahrzad," "Qafas," and "Qafilah," were broadcast on Pakistan Television from 1990 to 2007. He was honored with the Best Drama Writer Award by Pakistan Television in both 1999 and 2007. He has also authored nearly fifty standalone television dramas.^[6]

Journalism edit

Orya Maqbool Jan began his career as a columnist on January 1, 2002. He continued writing columns for newspapers such as Jang, Nawai Waqt, Express, Dunya, and 92 News. However, in May 2023, his columns faced an intense ban without any official notice from influential circles or "hidden forces," leading to the forceful suppression of his columns' publication across newspapers nationwide. As a result, all Pakistani newspapers are restrained from publishing their columns. His columns will now only be published on the website https://oryamaqbool.com.^[6]

Civil services and academia edit

Orya Maqbool Jan's commitment to learning remained steadfast, and he taught for five years, with a significant period spent at Balochistan University. Following his success in the competitive examination in 1984, he joined the District Management Service. On January 18, 2016, after a dedicated service of 32 years, he retired from his position.^[6]

Ban from Norway edit

In 2018, he was restricted from visiting Norway based on remarks classified as promoting divisive views.^[10]

Some of his publications include:^[11]

• Girdbād : Balocistān Ke Qabā'ilī Pas Manẓar Men̲ Likhā Gayā Drāmah, Quetta : Zumurrud Publications, 1996, 308 p. A play on socio-cultural problems with particular reference to the Baloch tribes in Pakistan.
• Ḥarf-i Rāz, Lahore : Sang-e-Meel Publications, 2005-2013, 1616 p. (in 5 volumes). Essays on deteriorating political conditions in Pakistan.
• Qāmat : Shāʻirī, Lahore : Sang-e-Meel Publications, 2011, 144 p. Urdu poetry.
• Mujhe Hai Hukm-i Az̲ān̲ : Z̤arb-i-Muʼmin Shāʼiʻ Hone Vāle Kālam, Lahore : Ilm-o-Irfan Publishers, 2012, 336 p. Author's collected columns on various international political issues, published in weekly Z̤arb-i muʼmin Karachi during 2004-06.