KARACHI, April 29: Glowing tributes were paid to the services rendered by the late Syed Saeed Jafri, for his exemplary contribution to Pakistan in different fields as senior ICS officer, as well as his interest in activities of various NGOs engaged in the promotion of Arabic, culture, sports and literature.

Speaking at a memorial meeting organized by the Society for Promotion of Arabic in Karachi, of which the late Mr Jafri was president, they recalled that he was one of the ICS officers who immediately decided to opt for Pakistan when the choice was asked in 1947.

The meeting presided by President of the Society, Mahmudul Aziz, was addressed by Barrister Kamal Azfar, former Sindh Governor; S. Iqbal Hussain and Aftab Ahmed Khan, former Federal Economic Affairs secretaries; Syed Iradat Hussain, Mazhar Jafri and Agha Masood.

Kamal Azfar said that had Mr Jafri lived and working as Secretary of Industries, he may have seen Pakistan transform into an Asian Tiger, such as South Korea and Malaysia. He also read out letters from his wife, Naheed Jafri Azfar, and children Umar Azfar, Saira Azfar and Farid Azfar, paying rich tributes to the late Mr Jafri.

S. Iqbal Hussain praised S.S. Jafri’s courage while pursuing his case in the Supreme Court and winning it with honour.

Aftab Ahmed Khan spoke of his very productive career, specially as an officer and the great service he rendered for Pakistan. He wanted promotion of the private sector when working as Secretary of Industries, something which is now internationally in vogue, he added.

SPA President, Mahmudul Aziz, said that Mr Jafri was a man of great courage and perseverance, as well as a dedicated Pakistani.

Mazhar Jafri of Pakistan Bridge Federation said that the late S.S. Jafri was President Emeritus of the Bridge Foundation and had put Pakistan on the Bridge map of the world.—PPI