KARACHI: A collection of articles and essays titled Zer-i-Lab written by journalist and writer Sabih Mohsin was launched at the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday.

Eminent media person and former federal minister of information Javed Jabbar, who was the chief guest on the occasion, talked about the Peshawar carnage that had taken place in the afternoon and said it was an attack on innocence (of children), on enlightenment and on the state. He said the late Sabih Mohsin also had innocence in him and argued that one must remain innocent to be wise and creative.

He said the day (Dec 16) was also linked to another tragedy (the Dhaka Fall) which meant that what happened in Peshawar was to make us feel despondent and miserable. Therefore it was important for the organisers of the book launch to carry on with the event, because if it had been postponed, it would have been a victory for the terrorists.

Mr Jabbar said the author had a genuine sense of humour. There’s a difference between being witty and having a sense of humour, he pointed out, as the former was done at the expense of someone but the late writer always remembered the human element in his writings.

Shedding light on the book, he touched upon three subjects: ‘burka’, ‘kheloge kooduge hoge nawab’ and ‘makaan khali hai magar kiraey per nahin’. He one more time went back to the events of Dec 16 (both the dismemberment of East Pakistan and the Peshawar tragedy) and connecting them with the contents of the book mentioned the tears of joy and sadness.

Mr Jabbar said Sabih Mohsin’s style of writing was easy to read, and rounded off his speech saying “Literature is the fortress and the frontline against extremism, and the real Pakistani is the creative one which Sabih Mohsin represented”.

Dr Tipu Sultan went down memory lane saying his association with the writer spanned 50 years. He interacted with him as a cousin, as a journalist (who wrote for Dawn and Ahang) and as an intellectual. He finished his recollections with the episode when the writer fell ill and breathed his last.

Afzaal Mohsin, a brother of the author, said Sabih Mohsin was fond of reading. At an early stage in his life he had read progressive literature and was influenced by the Progressive Movement.

Inam Bari said when Sabih Mohsin joined the magazine Ahang he changed it for the better.

Syed Najmuddin, Iqbal Mohsin (brother), Jamal Mohsin (brother), Zakarya Sajid and Shariful Mujahid also spoke. Kinza Mujeeb conducted the programme.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2014