KARACHI, Aug 29: Journalists and writers paid tribute to Khalid Alig, noted poet of resistance and senior journalist, at a condolence meeting organised at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Tuesday.

KPC President Sabihuddin Ghausi presided over the meeting while journalists Ahfaazur Rehman and Nadir Shah Adil, critic Muslim Shamim, Prof Tauseef Ahmed Khan and others spoke.

Though Khalid Alig was a noted journalist, most of the speakers mainly discussed his stature as one of the leading progressive Left-oriented poets of Urdu.

“He passed his life according to principles. His poetry is a true reflection of his lifestyle and political inclinations,” said Mr Shamim.

He said Alig had some complaints with society, which are found sparsely in his poetic journey of around six decades.

“I beg to differ when he complains against society because society as a whole gave him respect with the intensity he deserved, yet he was ignored by the exploiters whom he always loathed,” said Mr Shamim.

Ahfaazur Rehman was not happy to see the small number of people at the meeting, saying that it was far less than what it should have been.

“It is a matter of shame for all of us to ignore a person like Khalid Alig who enlightened our minds and souls so vigorously.”

He shared with the gathering the times he spent in the company of late Alig.

Nadir Shah Adil said Khalid Alig was one of the few individuals whose personality had no contradictions.