KARACHI, May 26: “The hallmark of Khalid Alig’s poetry is its unusual and insightful expression which is claimed by many but is hardly found in the works of any other poet,” said Ahfazur Rehman at the launch of the collection of Khalid Alig’s works titled Ghazal-i-Dasht-i-Sagan.

The event was organised by the Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi, which published the book. This was the third book so far published by the Arts Council.

The programme started with a few glitches. First, it began two hours late and then the chief guest of the occasion, Speaker of the Sindh Assembly Nisar Khuhro, came at the last moment. However, the ceremony witnessed a large number of literary figures, including Fatima Surayya Bajia. It was presided over by Ahfazur Rehman, who praised the efforts of the poet in his personal and creative world.

Speaking on the occasion, Nisar Khuhro said: “Like Khalid Alig I also believe in fighting for what one thinks is right. Khalid served the nation with the might of his pen.”

The speakers included Sahar Ansari, Taj Haider, Ahmed Shah, Sarwar Javed and Shahid Rassam.

They highlighted the integrity of the late poet and said it was the basic subject matter of his poetry. They said the poet in his journey from civil engineering to journalism never compromised on what he thought was right and, therefore, endured hardship because of it. His bold poetic expression had won him criticism from his contemporaries, who failed to comprehend the economic and social sensibility Khalid Alig possessed and poured out in his work.

They also argued about the political affiliation of the poet. They agreed on the fact that the poet had close association with the labourers and never shut his door on them.

The speakers also insisted that Mr Alig introduced a new poetic essence to his genre by bringing a sense of strong realisation and political awareness.