KARACHI, Sept 25: Speakers at a function on Saturday evening praised senior poet Khalid Alig for criticizing despotic regimes and espousing humanitarian causes. Comments to this effect were made at the function organized by Muhibban-i-Fun in collaboration with the literary committee of PECHS. The organization gave Khalid Alig Rs50,000 as a token of their love and appreciation.

Journalist Ahfaz-ur-Rahman recalled that a cafeteria near the Frere Hall, where intellectuals and students used to discuss current affairs over a cup of tea, was frequented by Khalid Aliq. He said that in those eclectic discussions, Khalid Alig’s magnetic personality used to attract students and well-known intellectuals alike.

“I remember that at a mushaira held in the auditorium of Karachi University poets were mercilessly heckled by students. Noted humourist Shaukat Thanvi, who conducted the mushaira, called Khalid Alig, who, much to the chagrin of the organizers, read out his famous poem on the revolutionary Hasan Nasir. A hush descended over the hooting and booing audience. He was immediately taken into custody and grilled. Subsequently, he was taken to a room where high-ranking army officers met him with great respect and offered him food. They then asked him if he had any idea why he had been called there. When he said he didn’t, they asked him to recite the same poem,” he said.

Sindh Home Minister Rauf Siddiqui said activists of his political party were persecuted not only by those who donned army uniforms but also by those who championed the cause of democracy.

“Even some writers left us in the lurch. Aren’t we justified in asking why those who sang paeans of revolution remained silent spectators when our men were persecuted and killed?” he said.

He said in the Muttahida government no poet and man of letters had been sent to jail. He promised to get at least 500 copies of Khalid Alig’s book published.

Federal Minister for Housing Syed Safwanullah made comments on the salient features of Khalid Alig’s poetry. He praised him for standing up to tyrants and flinty forces of oppression.

Noted man of letters Farman Fatehpuri said Khalid Alig represented the same voice of progressive poets -– such as Majaz, Sahir and Ali Sardar Jafri — who had composed poetry to highlight social themes and ideas.

Sindh Ombudsman Yousuf Jamal underlined the importance of bringing out Khalid Alig’s book.

He said his latest book should also have some sort of chronological order so that readers could figure out how he had reacted to certain events.

Azhar Abbas Hashmi shed light on the activities and objectives of Sakinan-i-Shahar-i-Quaid. He recalled that Muhibban-i-Fun had earlier organized a function to pay tribute to the works of famous poet Rasa Chughtai.