KARACHI, May 4: The 84th birthday ceremony of the veteran communist leader, Comrade Sobho Gian Chandani, was observed in his absence at the PMA House on Saturday evening.

The speakers paid lavish tributes to Comrade Sobho for his lifelong struggle for the downtrodden. They regretted that Comrade Sobho was not allowed to attend the celebration in Karachi because a “treason case” had been registered against him in Larkana.

On the occasion a cake was cut and speeches were made. Those who spoke included Muslim Shamim, Saba Ikram, Anwer Peerzada, Taj Baloch, Chander Keswani, Mazher Jamil and Ali Ahmed Barohi. Saeed Pervez did the compering.

People were dismayed not to find Sobho Sahib among them. In a resolution they demanded the government to withdraw the case instituted against him.

A man known and respected for his struggle, and also a writer of repute, Sobho Sahib should have been honoured by those at the helm of affairs, instead of being harassed with a treason case against him at the age of 84, the speakers observed.

Irteqa Adabi Forum, Sindhi Adabi Sangat and monthly Sojhro were also among the hosts.—HA