Zubair Qureshi
Twin cities’ writers and poets on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the literary works composed during War of 1965 and held there was a need to reinvigorate the same spirit and write soul-stirring poems and stories that could motivate the nation to stand firmly against the worst odds.
While participating in Nazriya Pakistan Council’s (NPC) socio-political programme ‘Nuqta-e-Nazr’ the writers, poets and scholars viewed the passion that existed among the nation and the forces to give a befitting reply to the aggression from the eastern border can be reflected in the works of poets, singers and writers and it seems a parallel war was waging on cultural scene side by side the Pak-India borders.
Eminent poet and founder of Pakistan Haiku Society Khawar Ejaz was the chief guest on the occasion while Senior Vice Chairman of the NPC Mian Muhammad Javed presided over the socio-literary forum. In his paper, Khawar Ejaz discussed how Pakistan while still struggling on its feet after independence was forced into war with India but its writers and poets instilled in the peopled and the armed forces hope and patriotism.
Mian Muhammad Javed while expressing his appreciation of the literary works composed and created during War of 1965 called upon them to shun negativity. “We are in a state of hybrid war,” he said adding, “and we should give a message of hope and infuse national pride among our people, particularly, the youth,” he said.
NPC Vice Chairman also urged the writers and poets to shun negativity and negative forces in our ranks. Those who are misleading the nation in the name of liberalism are in fact the enemy of the state, said Mian Javed.
International Islamic University’s Prof Dr Humaira Ashfaq in her well-articulated paper called for making the curriculum confusion-free and giving a true picture to our youths. She said Pakistani literature owes to ‘soldier writers’ like Col Shafiqur Rehman, Col Mohammad Khan, Brig Siddique Salik and many others. In Urdu literature we have a dedicated subject under title “Urdu Adab aur Asaakir-e-Pakistan” in which literary contributions of those hailing from Pakistani forces are mentioned, said she.
She said besides achievements of ‘the men in khaki’ civilian people’s contributions should also be made part of the curriculum.
Yasin Tahir commended the NPC for selecting the theme of the programme as “Jang-e-September ka Adbi Mahaz: Jazba Safar Mai Hay.” It aims to motivate the contemporary writers he said adding scholars and artists should come up with the same spirit that was the hallmark of the writings during 1965 War. Short story writer and senior producer of Pakistan Television Farkhanda Shamim recited a poem dedicated to the Martyrs of Pakistan. Media Director of the NPC and a well-known poet Anjum Khaliq earlier welcomed the writers and introduced the theme of the programme. “Today, we are passing through critical times and there is need to revive the same spirit that was the hallmark of our writings in the days of War of 1965,” said Khaliq. Among those who attended the literary session included Wafa Chishti, Shaida Chishti, Dr Naheed Akhtar, Haider Farooq, Afzal Malik, Afzal Babar, Ibrar Hussain, Muneera Shamim, Dr Arshad Nashad, Khaleequr Rehman, Asad Naqvi, Saqib Akbar, Imrana Komal, Farah Deeba and others.
