July 17, 2008	Thursday	Rajab 13, 1429

ISLAMABAD, July 16: The capital’s literati showered praise on Ahmad Nadeem Qasmi for his contribution to the literature and unflinching humanism at a literary reference in his memory arranged by the Pakistan Academy of Letters here on Wednesday.

The function was presided over by National Language Authority Chairman Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik. Amjad Islam Amjad was the chief guest.

The speakers called him a great literary figure of our time who excelled as a poet, short-story writer, playwright, critic and journalist with over 50 books in these disciplines to his credit. He dominated the literary scene for over half a century during which he remained active in progressive movements. He had to pay a price for his political beliefs and was jailed a number of times for his commitment to the cause of the poor people of his country.

Prof Fateh Mohammad Malik said that Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi was a man of principles and character. As a writer he was equally prominent in both poetry and prose. His short stories reflect the rural life of Pakistan. His poetry is full of nationalism and love for Islam. It was our responsibility to keep his memory alive, Prof malik said asking the government to name road after him. The School Road in F-6 Sector has already been named after him.

Amjad Islam Amjad said “Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi is considered a shining star on the sky of Urdu literature”. He contributed in many fields like poetry, fiction, newspaper columns and as an editor. He said that no other literary personality possessed this kind of prominence in so many fields of creative work.

Pakistan Academy of Letter’s Chairman Iftikhar Arif said that the versatile personality of Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi remained prominent for almost 70 years in different genres of Urdu literature.

He is considered to be a respectable reference in our nation, language and literary tradition. He said that Ahmed Nadeem Qasim was a very active member of the progressive movement.

Khalid Ahmed said that Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi was not only a refined literary personality but was also a man of high morals. He was very humble himself and his concern for the welfare of the common people was a source of his powerful literary output.

Dr Najiba Arif said that Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi had a multi- coloured literary personality. He is one of the major poet and short-story writer of Urdu literature. He was also an editor, columnist, active member of progressive movement and a religious person. However he will be remembered as a major poet and fiction writer of Urdu.

Dr Manzoor Ahmed, Rector International Islamic University, also shed light on the literary services of Qasmi.

The proceedings were conducted by Mehboob Zafar. A video film was also screened about the life and work of Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi.