KARACHI, April 21: Some key literary personalities were among a significant number of people who attended a programme, arranged at the Karachi Gymkhana by its literary committee, to pay tribute to known Urdu poet Fatema Hasan.

Legendary satirist and Urdu humour writer Mushtaq Ahmad Yusufi and feminist poet Fahmida Riaz were prominent among those present at the gathering titled ‘An evening with Fatema Hasan.’

Poet and Karachi University Vice-Chancellor, Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, presided over the meeting. In his keynote speech, Mr Siddiqui said that Ms Hasan had attained a place in the exclusive group of Urdu poets of the present era who had represented the society of their time through their unique style and effective communication and diction.

“She has joined the poets and intellectuals who cannot be ignored,” he said.

Ms Hasan said her poetry reflected reality and communicated her thoughts about the world and mankind. She also recited selected verses, which were received with zeal.