January 08, 2007	Monday	Zilhaj 17, 1427

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In the deaths of Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, Shaukat Siddiqui, Munir Niazi, Khalique Ibrahim Khalique and Prof Nadir Qambrani during 2006, we have lost some of the most powerful men of letters who stood up against injustices, poverty and discrimination of all kinds.

Their departure becomes more unfortunate as we find no one capable of cultivating progressive thinking in the country with their commitment to humanity and honesty of purpose.

Pakistan, given its size with the sixth largest population in the world, does not fare well in any intellectual, academic, artistic or cultural area. Martial laws, undemocratic measures of the civilian rulers and limited or no freedom of expression over the past 60 years discouraged the youth to take up philosophy, humanities or social sciences for higher studies and the society has become superficial and shallow.

We lack a vision for the future and have no understanding of the link between culture and development. Sportsmen are awarded millions for setting records which are broken in no time but we have no money to save intellectuals like Qambrani and Khalique. Their relatively affluent children had to struggle to sustain the provision of expensive drugs their illustrious fathers needed.

Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi was an era in himself. The great writer, poet, publisher, editor and intellectual who died in the ripe old age shaped the minds and hearts of many young writers for more than six decades.

His writings bring forth the pains and misfortunes of the common people. Some of his short stories are rated among the best of world fiction.

Likewise, Shaukat Siddiqui was a class of his own. Some of his novels were dramatised and televised drawing millions of viewers. He was also committed to highlighting the plight of masses with both objectivity and compassion.

Munir Niazi was a quintessential poet whose works take you to another world. He addresses social and existential issues with such ease and respect for his fellow beings that no one can be compared to him today. As a publisher, he also brought out progressive, philosophical and literary books when young. At least the prime minister should have been at the funeral if it were a civilised country.

Khalique Ibrahim Khalique was a writer, poet, progressive thinker and founder of documentary film making in Pakistan. Being one of the most awarded and decorated film directors in the country and acknowledged for penning the social history of the progressive movement in the subcontinent, he never compromised on either art or his political views. Just recently, Karafilm Festival forgot to mention his death.

Prof Nadir Qambrani served the cause of education in Balochistan and democracy and socialism in Pakistan for decades. He was jailed, exiled and then finally recognised as an outstanding human being by the state. He refused to accept an award before his death in protest to government’s high handedness in Balochistan.

None of the five men had achievements of spectator sports which earned name and money to others. But they would be remembered for the enlightenment they brought to us for decades through their written words, commitment and passion for social change.