AS reported in your paper (Sept 27), the Sindh cultural department has decided to establish 'Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Chair' in the universities of Karachi and Jamshoro. The decision is rather laudable, especially in view of Ms Bhutto's immeasurable sacrifices towards establishment of democracy in Pakistan and the stature she acquired through incessant struggle in the world political affairs as a great statesman and selfless and intrepid fighter for the cause the downtrodden.

Establishing chairs in the name of eminent educationalists, scholars and statesmen is a standard practice in institutions of higher learning. The rationale for establishing such chairs is not just to attach names of those eminent personalities to some entity but is primarily for keeping their mission alive through spread of learning and education.

It is done mainly by providing opportunities to young and talented scholars to study in research-oriented projects; conducting special studies by inviting prominent educationists and leaders from different walks of life; giving scholarships and rewards to well-deserved students; publishing books; conducting periodical seminars and studies, especially focusing on the personality and role that eminent person has played in the filed of his interest, for the greater good of society so that his mission remains animated in the minds of generations to come.

In universities of Sindh alone various chairs have been established from time to time, prominent among them are Sachal Sarmast Chair, Shaikh Ayaz Chair, Allama I. I. Kazi Chair, Allama Qasimi Chair, Shamsul Ulema Mirza Kalech Baig Chair and Shah Latif Chair. During the second tenure of the Benazir government a chair in the name of Z.A. Bhutto, leader of a towering stature, was also envisaged but unfortunately with the change of the government this project remained immaterialised.

It is, however, noted that barring a few chairs, no notable activity in the field of education has been reported in most of the places so much so that some of the seats have almost become totally inactive and exist only in name.

I hope that the minister, with the Sindh culture department, who has visualised such an exalted undertaking in the name of a great leader, should, after establishing the chair in her name, also ensure that it does not fade away like other such institutions but functions vibrantly for the benefit of future generations.

I also suggest that the chair envisioned previously in Sindh University in the name of ZAB should also be revived.

ALTAMASH M. KURESHI

Karachi