KARACHI, May 16: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad paid tributes to prominent writer Fatima Surriya Bajiya and presented her lifetime achievement award at a ceremony on Saturday night.

The function, organized by the Sada Welfare Foundation, was attended among others by the Consul General of Japan, Kanji Hana Gata, Prof Manzoor Ahmad, Qasim Jalali and Mushtaq Ahmad Yousufi.

Addressing the gathering, the governor said that Fatima Surriya Bajiya as a person was kind hearted. He said, "She understands the sufferings and feelings of others. She has always tried with her pen and soul to console people on one hand and inculcate a spirit among them to take initiatives and face all sort of odds with courage on the other," he added.

"I always found her bold, courageous, confident and frank," he said adding that even when one meets her the first time she gives an impression that he knows her since long.

Underlining the importance of social workers, Dr Ibad identified various sectors where their services help bring about social and ethical changes. He said that it was important in social work to spread the message of love and fraternity and knit people with each other.

This, he said, could be done in different ways out of which writing for the cause of society was one. He said, "Bajiya has always worked beyond her person and tried to help people in whatever way she could."

The governor was of the view that respecting such people of eminence was part of our social norms, traditions and culture. He gave her lifetime achievement award, which carried Rs50,000 on behalf of the members of Sada Welfare Foundation.

On the occasion, Dr Ibad also announced a donation of Rs0.2 million to the Sada Welfare Foundation in recognition of its welfare work and contribution to the cause of health, especially for the children at the National Institute of Child Health.

Earlier, the welcome address was presented by the Sada Welfare Foundation's chairperson Fouzia Siddiqui. The Consul General of Japan, Kanji Hana Gata, Prof Manzoor Ahmad, Mushtaq Ahmad Yousufi, Qasim Jalali, Zehra Nigah, Marrium Farouqi, Ardeshir Cowasjee, Dr Zeenat Isani, Sadia Rashid, Tahir Javed and others also spoke. - APP