Nawab of former State of Bahawalpur, Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan Abbasi, was born on September 29, 1904 at Derawar near Bahawalpur. He ruled the Bahawalpur State from 1907 to 1966. In August 1947 he received the title of Amir of Bahawalpur. At the time of partition all the princely states of the subcontinent were given a choice to join either Pakistan or India.

On October 5, 1947 he signed an agreement with the government of Pakistan according to which Bahawalpur State joined Pakistan, becoming the first state to be a part of Pakistan.

At the time of independence Nawab of Bahawalpur proved to be very helpful and generous to the government of Pakistan. He gave 70 million rupees to the government and the salaries of all the government departments for one month were also drawn from the treasury of Bahawalpur State.

Nawab of Bahawalpur had a keen interest in education which was free till A level and the State’s Government provided scholarships of  merit for higher education.

In 1951 the Nawab donated 500 acres in Bahawalpur for the construction of prestigious educational institution Sadiq Public School.

He also gifted his private property to the University of the Punjab King Edward Medical College (now University) and the Mosque of Aitcheson College Lahore.

Pakistan Post also issued a commemorative stamp in 2013 to pay homage to late Nawab of Bahawalpur.

On May 24, 1966, Nawab Sadiq died in London.