IN the 1970s, the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) often expressed its world view by organising a variety of events having cultural and socio-political importance. On July 10, 1976, for example, the KUJ, in collaboration with the Arts Council of Pakistan and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), arranged an exhibition of cartoons made by Sidi Mahmood at the council’s art gallery. Mr Mahmood, who in those days worked for a local newspaper, had chosen the theme ‘Struggle of the Palestinian Liberation Movement’ for the show. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Consul-General of the UAE, Mohammad Bin Hadher. Chronologically tracing the history of the region, the artist had shown how the Imperialist-Zionist conspiracy hurt the Arabs with the Balfour Declaration in 1917. The cartoonist then portrayed how the Arabs became powerful and united, and Imperialist-Zionist forces tried to sabotage the Palestinian struggle. Mr Mahmood completed his drawings by highlighting Palestinians’ determination to carry on with the movement. Earlier, speaking on the opening day of the display, the president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Minhaj Barna, spoke about the struggle of the Palestinian people and freedom of the press. The president of the KUJ, Mirza Ismail, introduced the artist to the guests.

From a particular form of expression to an important medium of expression: language. On Aug 16, the 15th death anniversary of the Baba-i-Urdu, Maulvi Abdul Haq, was observed under the auspices of the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu Pakistan. On the occasion, rich tributes were paid to Maulvi Abdul Haq for his invaluable services for the promotion of the Urdu language. The president of the anjuman, Akhtar Husain, chaired the programme. In his address, he mentioned the efforts that the late scholar had made for the cause of Urdu and urged the audience to dedicate themselves to the promotion of the Urdu language. He said the best way to pay homage to the Baba-i-Urdu was to strive hard for the accomplishment of his mission. He also pointed out that Maulvi Abdul Haq had always dreamed of an Urdu university. The anjuman was trying to make that dream come true, he added.

Urdu is one of the subjects taught at schools in the matriculation system in Pakistan. Speaking of which, on Aug 15, Sindh’s Education Minister Pyarali Allana gave a firm assurance that all the students who had passed their matriculation exams would be given admission to the city’s colleges. In an interview, he denied that there existed any problem with regard to admission. The minister said the government was committed to providing educational facilities to people from all walks of life. He requested the students and their parents to be patient and abide by rules formulated by the government for seeking admission. Mr Allana, however, clarified that those who had passed exams with third-division marks would not be given admission to highly rated institutions because it would be detrimental to the rights and interests of those who had passed in the first division category. Still, the former would be accommodated, and the government might even open new colleges if it found it necessary, he said.

Published in Dawn, August 10th, 2026