HYDERABAD, June 15: Tribute was paid to the late G.M. Syed for his services in the cause of Sindhi literature and culture and in the field of social work at a centenary function held at a hotel here on Sunday.

Speaking on the occasion, renowned scholar and historian Dr N. A. Baloch said the late Syed was not only a great politician but also a great scholar and social worker.

He said Mr Syed had played an important role in the Pakistan movement.

About his literary services, Dr Baloch said Mr Syed was the author of 40 books and he also used to preserve letters written to him by different people.

He said the late Syed had conceived the idea of the Sindhi Adabi Board and performed a leading role in its establishment when he was the education minister in 1940. He said another landmark contribution of Mr Syed was the establishment of the Shah Latif Cultural Centre.

Dr Hamida Khuhro said Mr Syed was a great thinker and writer and a man of unique personality.

Arbab Naik Mohammad, Dr Haider Lashari, Prof Qamar Jehan Mirza, Dr Anwar Figaar Hakro, Prof Mohammad Adam Butt, Syed Imam Rashidi, Dr Habibullah Siddiqui and Dr Nawaz Ali Shauq read papers on the life, works and social services of the late Syed.

The function was organized by the G. M. Syed Foundation and attended by scholars, educationists, students and followers of the nationalist leader.