DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Nov 29: Speakers paid rich tribute to renowned progressive poet Ali Sardar Jafari at a ceremony held here the other day in connection with his 100th birthday.

The ceremony, organised by Progressive Writers Association, was attended by a large number of civil society members, students and writers including Prof Syed Abid Hussain, Sanaullah Khan Shamim, Abul Moazim Turabi, Hafizullah Gillani and Dr Akhlaq Ahmad Awan.

The speakers said that progressive way of thinking was the only way to cope with terrorism and other social and political challenges of the day. They said that Sardar Jafari went behind the bars but did not compromise on his principles and progressive ideals.

He created moderate and enlightened literature to console deprived people, they added.

Dr Jamal Naqvi, a central office-bearer of Progressive Writers Association from Lahore, said on the occasion that a real progressive literature had strong link with the inner attitude of an individual.

He said that a progressive writer resisted the contemporary challenges and explored new options for reformation of society. “It is high time that society should benefit from the progressive literature,” said Dr Naqvi.

He said that the entire struggle of Sardar Jafari contained to raise voice for the rights of deprived segments of the society.

Dr Misbah Rashid, another guest writer from Lahore, and Dr Mazhar Haider from Peshawar said that Jafari influenced and enlightened several literary, political and social movements of his time.

Renowned Pashto Poet and writer Salim Raz also spoke on the occasion and said that the nation could be steered out of the quagmire of terrorism and intolerance through rationalised and realistic approach of thinking.

A special mushaira was also held on the occasion. The poems and verses of Sardar Jafari were recited by the guests. Prominent among the poets were Saeed Aakhtar Sial, Khushal Nazir, Mohammad Ali Shah and Awais Qarni.