ISLAMABAD, Feb 22: Any reservation that the establishment might have had in respect of Josh Malihabadi (1896-1982) now stands removed.

The eminent poet’s work would now receive respectful airtime on Pakistan Television channels and, in addition, the information ministry would arrange for publication of his works.

Minister of State for Information Anisa Zeb Tahirkheli held out the promise here on Wednesday while speaking at a literary meeting organised by the Josh Adabi Foundation to observe the

24th death anniversary of the poet.

She proposed an annual award to honour the literary giant who wrote poetry without prejudice or bias.

“We need the poetry of this kind to clear the mental cobwebs of our youths, who are now being served with hypocrisy in literature and from the sermon-mongers,” Ms Tahirkheli stressed.

Begum Zareen Musharraf, the president’s mother, sent a message to the function expressing her admiration for the works of Josh Malihabadi, quoting a couplet, Insan ko bedar to ho leney do, Har shakhs pukare ga hamare hain Husain.

Begum Zareen said that she was indisposed hence she was unable to attend the function though she and her late husband were always present at literary gatherings to celebrate Josh’s birth and death anniversaries.

The Iranian cultural counsellor expressed the desire to get all of Josh’s poetry translated into Persian language.

Senator Mushahid Husain Syed said that poets of such great stature and accomplishment as Josh did not need official patronage. Josh’s poetry had natural attraction as the voice of revolution and courage, he added.

Josh came to Pakistan because he realized that the future of Urdu letters had fallen in bad ways in India, and here he preached in his works against the cult of hypocrisy.

Speakers said that Josh would be a role model for all those who want to proclaim justice for the downtrodden and for those who love the Holy Prophet (PBUH), his household and Hazrat Imam Husain (RA).

The proposal for lifting censorship on Josh’s poetry came from Dr Alya Imam, who also demanded establishment of Josh’s chair in the country’s universities.

When Tabbasam Akhlaq and Farrukh Jamal, grandchildren of Josh, regretted that the works of the poet had not been collected or published, and that no significant studies of Josh had been made except by Dr Imam and a few other authors, Ghazanfar Mehdi assured them that his works had now been collected and were ready for publication.

Noted writer and poets Saqiba Rahimuddin and Pir Nasiruddin of Golra Sharif discussed Josh’s choice of the right poetical words. “Josh showed friendliness to all human races, then why do we live in fear of everyone?” Ms Rahimuddin asked.