KARACHI: Speakers on Sunday discussed the life and political struggle of socialist leader and senior politician Meraj Muhammad Khan at the launching ceremony of a book titled Nigar-i-Sahar Ki Hasrat Mein here at the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi.

The book is a compilation of Meraj Khan’s autobiography Tareekh Bolti Hai, essays, interviews and other documents which has been done by scholar and academic Dr Syed Jaffer Ahmed under his Institute of Historical and Social Research (IHSR).

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ahmed said the book would be beneficial for those who wished to do research on Meraj Muhammad Khan and the politics of the left in the country. “It contains his [Meraj’s] autobiography, essays, letters and other documents, including those he wrote during his trials,” he said.

Educationist and author Dr Tahira Khan said Meraj Muhammad Khan was one of those true socialist leaders who stood strong during a time when the left movements and groups were being suppressed in Pakistan.

About the book, she said one could understand various other social and political things through it besides the life events of Meraj Muhammad Khan, adding that just like Karl Marx had said, Meraj Muhammad Khan believed in taking action for changing the world instead of just interpreting it.

Journalist Mahmood Shaam chairing the event praised the efforts of IHSR and Dr Ahmed for the research work. He said the book answered many important questions but also raised various new questions.

He said people talked about revolution in Pakistan, but failed to realise that no such thing could take place in a society where ethical and moral norms had become worse instead of improving.

Scholar and activist Jami Chandio said that although the book was about the life of one person, it contained questions of crucial importance that could help one understand the present social, political and economic situation of Pakistan.

Journalist Mazhar Abbas said that a “confusion” had always remained in the left politics in Pakistan as their leaders kept changing ‘platforms’ and parties and even supporting fascist groups.

Mr Abbas said that the current leadership was unable to make the youths understand the left who were seeing it mostly from the perspective of the right. He added that there was a need to address the internal contradictions in the left to overcome that problem.

Journalist and writer Zahid Hussain praised the book and spoke about different aspects of Meraj Muhammad Khan’s life, saying that despite mistakes, he [Mr Khan] never compromised on his principles. He said the left in Pakistan needed to do a practical and deep analysis of issues but instead of that, they were just limited to raising slogans.

Women’s rights activist Anis Haroon, journalist Hussain Naqi, Qaumi Mahaz-i-Azadi leader Azhar Jameel, Awami Workers Party leader Akhtar Hussain and others also spoke.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2024