KARACHI, Dec 17: Speakers at a seminar here on Wednesday paid rich tributes to late GM Sayed for his services to the cause of nationalism, secularism and democracy.

Recalling the sacrifices of the late leader for the cause of the oppressed people, they recalled that he had never compromised on principles.

Despite all odds, the speakers said, he had fought against the despotic regimes of the country to achieve the rights of the Sindhi people.

Titled “GM Sayed Centenary Seminar: Life, Thought and Struggle,” the seminar was organized by the Jeay Sindh Mahaz at the PMA House.

Describing the personality of the late leader as the embodiment all of human virtues, they said being a mystic, he had a strong love for music and literature and firmly believed in high human values. The speakers said the late Sayed had always opposed communalism and violence, and preached brotherhood and unity among the oppressed people.

They said the late Sindhi nationalist leader firmly believed that Pakistan could survive as a federal state where the sovereign rights of all people were fully granted under a democratic setup. Addressing the seminar, JSM chief Abdul Khaliq Junejo said the best way to pay tribute to the late leader was to continue the struggle for achieving the sovereign rights of the Sindhi people, for which the late leader had made invaluable sacrifices.

He supported the idea of unity among all nationalist and progressive forces, but stressed that such unity should be based on a political programme and not on opportunism.

He said opportunists had caused a great harm to the people of Sindh for their personal interests.

The JSM leader also criticised the “ oppressive policies” adopted by the Islamabad rulers to ”subjugate” the people of smaller units of the federation.

The seminar was also addressed by Amanullah Sheikh, one of the founding members of the Jeay Sindh Movement, JSM General Khan Mohammad Boyu, Yusuf Mustikhan of the Pakistan Workers Party, Advocate Noorudin Sarki and others.

Mr Mustikhan said the time had come for nationalists to reassess their role in the light of the fast changing national and international situations.

Referring to the Iraqi situation, Mr Mustikhan said US imperialism had been destroying national states and trying to impose its own world order.

Lamenting that the forces of resistance had weakened, the PWP leader said: “The situation demands that we shun our petty differences and work for unity to struggle against brutal forces.” Advocate Noorudin Sarki also spoke on the occasion.