KARACHI: Munfarid, a poetry collection by senior poet and writer, Rafiq Jabir, was discussed at a literary sitting of the Karachi Press Club on Saturday, with Dr Mohammad Ali Siddiqui in the chair.

Khalid Alig, Prof Ali Haider Malik, Prof Riaz Siddiqui and Hasan Askari Fatemi spoke.

Rafiq Jabir is an experienced journalist and has worked in senior positions in many English language dailies; economics and trade being the subjects of his special interest.

Dr Siddiqui recalled the prime decades of the progressive writers’ movement, of which Rafiq was a part. He started writing poetry in his early teens and was encouraged by literary giants such as Josh Malihabadi, whose impression on Rafiq’s poetry is quite visible.

Prof Malik and Riaz Siddiqui praised the writer’s commitment to the progressive ideology and his command over language and classical idioms and phraseology.

It was felt that Rafiq had not been acknowledged the way he should have been given credence.

Poet Khalid Alig recited couplets in praise of the writer. Zeb-i-Azkar Hussain, secretary of the literary committee, also spoke.

ANTI-WAR RALLY: The arrangements for an anti-war rally at the call of the action committee, to be held at the Karachi Press Club on Feb 28, were reviewed on Saturday. The representatives of writers’ association, members of trade unions, professional forums and social activists attended the meeting and decided to muster support to make the rally impressive and successful.