KARACHI: Friends, colleagues and family members of distinguished journalist Sheikh Aziz went down memory lane to shed light on his illustrious career at an event held on Friday evening at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) to commemorate his eighth death anniversary.

Prior to formal speeches, two books penned by Mr Aziz, The Shidis of Sindh (English) and Sindh Je Dhariyal Ji Tareekh (Sindhi) were launched.

Former education minister Pir Mazhar-ul-Haq presided over the gathering. He expressed his deep fondness and admiration for Mr Aziz. He said the late journalist had the ability to recognise talent in individuals and enable those individuals to become worthy professionals.

He said Mr Aziz was involved with journalism at a time when it was not easy to be a media person — there were many challenges. For the most part of his career, he was associated with Sindhi journalism, but his value was realised when he worked for an English language newspaper (Dawn). He added that effort should be made to make Mr Aziz a role model of the younger generation.

Journalist and poet Mahmood Shaam, who was the chief guest on the occasion but spoke after Mr Haq on the latter’s insistence, lauded the children of Mr Aziz for arranging the commemorative programme.

He said the late journalist worked in difficult periods, but never flinched back from his task. He was one of those men who wanted his junior colleagues to flourish and prosper, and helped them achieve that.

Mehtab Akbar Rashdi read a paper titled Sheikh Aziz Ke Naam. She said Mr Aziz was a leading name in Sindhi journalism. He loved his profession. He was one of those lovers of Sindh who did not merely chant slogans; he practically worked for Sindh.

Journalist Mazhar Abbas said: “Mr Aziz used to write for Dawn with clarity in his thinking, and a lot of impact. I never saw him act confused. He was not only a true journalist, but also a true intellectual, a down-to-earth person.

“In the period when we used to meet at the press club or in the corridors of Dawn, the MRD movement was in full swing along with the Jam Saqi case. I interacted a great deal with him. Unfortunately, not as much has been written about the MRD movement as it deserves.

The movement changed media trends and political perspectives in the country. It is the only movement that began from rural areas,” he said.

Mr Aziz’s daughter Moniza said she’s privileged to be called his daughter. “For me he was a hero. I still miss him terribly.” She told the attendees that Mr Aziz had written his obituary in his lifetime.

Prof Aijaz Qureshi, Tariq Aziz Sheikh (Mr Aziz’s son), Enshan Laghari, Fazil Jamili and others also spoke.

A student, Sidra Imtiaz, read a review of Mr Aziz’s book The Shidis of Sindh.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2026