MY father’s telephonic discourses with Laiqzada Laiq Sahib, delving deep into literary ideas and initiatives for advancing Pashto culture and literature are unfading memories of my early youth. I never then had a chance to meet him in person, and knew him solely through the anecdotes shared by my late father. At that time, he served as the director of Radio Pakistan, Muzaffarabad AJK.

My personal interest in Pashto literature led me to some of his poetic masterpieces. I perceived him as a romantic poet like Shelly and Keats, crafting impressions without succumbing to verbosity. On a few occasions, I had the privilege of conversing with him over the telephone, and developing profound respect for him as a gentleman and a distinguished literary figure of our generation.

The turning point came on my father’s passing away in September 2015, when I met Laiqzada Sahib for the first time in my village, Rajjar Charsadda. He spoke at length about my late father’s contributions. Laiq Sahib exuded the confidence of mature intellect and appeared to be a man of few words, possessing a charisma.

Until then, my connection with Pashto literature was primarily as my father’s driver, chauffeuring him to such events. However, opting Pashto as an optional subject in the CSS examination unveiled a whole new realm of expression and emotions.

After the passing away of my father, Professor Jehanzeb Niaz, we as a family, decided to pay tribute to him through a free medical camp. Eventually, we came to a decision that the best way to pay tribute would be to organize some literary event. In this regard, the first person who came to my mind was Laiqzada Laiq.

He encouraged me to carry forward the unfinished agenda of Professor Sahib. We decided to contact some of his old colleagues and friends. That is how I came across Faridoon, Nadan, Aseer Mangal, Dr. Alam, Khadim and so many others.

In 2019, Laiq Sahib proposed the establishment of a literary institution “Niaz Adabi Sangar (NAS)”, dedicated to the advancement of Pashto literature. Within a mere three-year span, the organization etched a distinctive presence as a patron for meritorious poets within literary circles under the chairmanship of Laiq Sahib.

We had not even imagined that our journey towards the achievements of our objectives would be so short. We were together on September 30th, 2023 in Niaz House Charsadda for a meeting. On 8th October, 2023, I received a call from his son Wajid Laiq that Laiq Sahib was admitted to Hayatabad Medical Complex. The doctors did their utmost but he could not survive and passed away on 30th October, 2023, leaving a vacuum which is nigh on impossible to fill.

Laiq Sahib was a poet par excellence. He uses simple language and candid expression, but could create magic out of it. I would always call him in his presence as the representative poet of the present generation and he would simply smile without further commenting on the observation. Beyond the realm of romantic ghazals, he delved into the contemporary societal landscape, through his nazms.

Another facet of his poetry unveiled a profound love for the Holy Prophet (PBUH), as is evident in his numerous works of naats, for which he received the prestigious National Seerat Award. He extensive research and penning books on drama, short stories, and essays added to his literary legacy. Esteemed Pashto singers, including Fiaz Khan Kheshgi, Haroon Badsha, Shakeela Naaz, Fazal-i-Wahab Dard, and Wajid Laiq, transformed his poetic gems into mesmerising melodies.

Honoured with the Tamgha-i-Imtiaz, Laiq Sahib stood as a stalwart supporter of artists and musicians, extending personal support where needed. His written work, encapsulated in the English-translated tome “An artist never dies,” further attests his dedication to the arts.

The passing of Laiq Sahib signifies not just a monumental loss for Pashto literature and culture, but a profound personal void for me. As my mentor, teacher, friend, confidant, co-worker, and adviser, he embodied a beacon of hope for me.

Our relationship, inherited from my father, was cherished, and the absence of Laiq Sahib in NAS meetings and activities is deeply felt. May his soul find eternal peace, and may we find the strength to carry forward the missions of Professor Jehanzeb Niaz and Laiq Sahib.

Published in Dawn, January 11th, 2024