Diwan Singh Maftoon (1890 – 1974), born at Hafizabad (district Gujranwala, Pakistan) was a well known journalist. He spent most of his life at Delhi. Among his early writings was a pamphlet condemning excesses of (Maharaja) Bhupindera Singh, the ruler of Patiala. This fetch him support of (Maharaja) Ripduman Singh of Nabha. With the assistance from the ruler of Nabha, Diwan Singh launched a weekly journal Rayyat from Delhi. The paper could not live very long. After this venture, he was given a suitable job by (Maharaja) Ripduman Singh. After the deposition of (Maharaja) Ripduman Singh, he lost his job and returned to Delhi. At Delhi, he started another journal Riyasat. This journal was a success. Diwan Singh was an impressive writer. He used to write two columns: Naqabil-i-Framosh and Jazbat-i-Mashrik which became very popular. Later, he edited his writings under the same titles. Diwan Singh Maftoon had strong views about different personalities of his times.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)