KARACHI: Takleeqi Awaz, the omnibus edition of Jazib Qureshi’s six volumes of critical writings, was launched on Friday evening. Two books included in the publication are new.

At the marathon session, presided over by Dr Farman Fatehpuri, papers were presented on Jazib’s life and literary contribution by Rukhsana Saba, Ahsen Salim, Shahida Hasan, Riaz Siddiqui and Mazher Jamil.

Poet and humorist, Hussain Majrooh, who had come from Lahore to attend the launch, was the chief guest and read out a piece of writing, somewhat serious and blended with humour.

Dr Farman admired Jazib as a hard-working writer, his career spreading over 55 years, and always remaining a humble student. His critical essays were based on profound knowledge and his prose written in a creative vein, Dr Farman said. Jazib’s poetry was also critical in its spirit.

Hussain Majrooh, while admiring Jazib’s broad vision and unbiased attitude towards contemporary writers, advised him to write more about essential issues on life and literature.

Riaz Siddiqui, praising Jazib for his creative prose, criticized those writers whom he found unjust and discriminative in their approach.

Mazher Jameel read out some passages out of his long essay, relevant to the occasion. He lamented the falling standard of literary evaluation and praised Jazib for his balanced discourse, while acknowledging the merits of around one hundred writers, mostly contemporary and juniors.

Ms Shahida briefly reviewed the essential portions of the book and highly admired Jazib for his commitment and hard work as a critic and a creative writer.

Due to the decline in critical standards, the readers, as one could see, had distanced themselves from literature, Ahsen Salim observed and gave full marks to his senior (Jazib) for bridging the gap, and also for his studies in modernism. Rukhsana Saba paid tribute to Jazib, who has justly promoted the emerging talents.—H.A