KARACHI, Feb 24: Glowing tributes were paid to the life and services of late Qazi Khuda Bakhsh, the first Muslim mayor of Karachi, at a ceremony held here on Sunday night to mark his 55th death anniversary.

The meeting was largely attended by people from all walks of life. The speakers recalled the valuable contribution by the late leader for the betterment of Muslim community in Sindh, particularly Karachi.

The speakers included Justice (r) Z. A. Channa, Maulana Mohammed Asghar Dars, Qazi Muhammad Akber, Naukhaiz Anwar Siddiqui and Haji Mohammad Ayub Alwari, Secretary Information of the Qazi Khuda Bakhsh Memorial Society.

They said that the late Qazi took numerous measures to strengthen the infrastructure of backward areas of the city, predominantly Muslim area.

They recounted the services rendered by Qazi Khuda Bakhsh in the field of education, health as well as in ensuring provision of basic amenities to Karachiites. Highlighting the significance of his efforts, they urged that special chapters about his life and services be incorporated in text books at schools level.

Born in Mero, Nawabshah district in 1895, Qazi Khuda Bakhsh had soon became a moving spirit after stepping into the political field with an aim to promote education and social development in Sindh.

His son, Justice (r) Qazi Mohammad Akber, speaking on the occasion, said that his father was an educationist in its true sense besides being a reformer and philanthropists.

Justice (r) A. R. Channa said that the late Qazi had deep interest in the proper upbringing of children and, as such, sponsored Karachi Children Society of which he became patron.

His contribution in the establishment of Sindh Muslim College, inaugurated by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah, in 1942 was also mentioned by Justice Channa.—APP