HYDERABAD: Speakers at a programme held at the Sindh University, Jamshoro, on Tuesday paid homage to academician and historian Dr Hamida Khuhro and eulogised her meritorious services in the fields of education, literature and history.

Observing that Dr Khuhro devoted her entire life to the cause of educating people of Sindh, they said the void caused by her death could not be filled.

The programme titled ‘Dr Hamida Khuhro: life achievements and struggle’ was organised by SU’s Pakistan Study Centre and presided over by its Vice Chancellor, Prof Dr Fateh Mohammad Burfat.

Speaking to the audience, Prof Burfat termed Dr Khuhro’s death a national loss, saying that she rendered great services in the fields of politics, history, education and literature.

He observed that Dr Khuhro, who also served as education minister, made hectic efforts towards ensuring quality education to students in the province. Being a very kind lady, she loved the rich and poor equally.

“She was an icon for the women of the province. She keenly cared for us and never got annoyed while discussing issues,” he said.

Dr Rafia A. Shaikh said that Dr Khuhro was still present in the memories of everyone due to her great services.

Tracing her credentials, she told the audience that Dr Khuhro, as an academic historian, taught at the Karachi and Oxford universities before joining the Sindh University as a professor. She left the SU to concentrate on politics and writing. She was the daughter of former Sindh chief minister Ayub Khuhro and did her PhD in South Asian History from the University of London, Dr Shaikh said.

Dr Gul Mohammed Umrani shed light on Dr Khuhro’s political career, saying that it was in 1987 that she joined the Sindh National Alliance. She was made the provincial minister for education and literacy in 1990 and in 1993, she joined the Pakistan Muslim League. In 2004, Dr Khuhro was again appointed the education minister.

Prof Asif Ali Kazi said that Dr Khuhro loved Sindh and always worked silently for the welfare and prosperity of people. She made great efforts to improve the quality of education and promote literacy and literature in the province.

Dr Farzana Baloch said that Dr Khuhro wanted everyone to get education. In this regard, she got English-Sindhi and English-Urdu dictionaries for children published. Her efforts led to an improvement in the enrolment at schools.

Dr Baloch noted that Dr Khuhro’s books on the history of Sindh for children and similar books for children focusing on other parts of the country were greatly appreciated. “She always encouraged children to seek knowledge and education, and would visit children’s literature festivals where she would welcome children to ask her questions.”

A large number of academicians, including SU faculty members, and students attended the programme.

Published in Dawn, March 22nd, 2017