APMA CHAIR APPEALS TO ALL FAITHS TO UNITE FOR RULE OF LAW, JUSTICE AND INTERFAITH HARMONY

Dr. Paul Jacob Bhatti, on International Human Rights Day (December 10), has appealed all faiths to unite together for the assurance of rule of law, justice, and writ of the state in order to promote Jinnah’s Pakistan with his basic principles of faith, unity, and discipline.

Mahtab Bashir
Islamabad
03335363248
mahtabbashir@gmail.com

Former federal minister National Harmony and Minorities Affairs and Chairman of All Pakistan

Minorities Alliance (APMA), Dr. Paul Jacob Bhatti has said that at present the whole world and especially Pakistan is in the dire need of peace- which is the only way to prosperity and development of any country. He maintained all religious factions in the country should get together and come forward to shun the religious extremism and violence, which is on the rise in recent years.

Dr Bhatti said every religion conveys the message of love, tolerance, peace and brotherhood but unfortunately nothing is visible in our society because of rapidly spreading tentacles of extremism.

A surgeon by profession, Dr. Paul Bhatti said unless writ of state, law and order, quality education system and religious rights are not prevailed in its true spirits, a peaceful society cannot be formed.

Referring to founder of Pakistan, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Dr. Bhatti said it was the vision of Quaid who kept religion and state affairs separately. In current turmoil, all segments of society must come forward to raise the voice against intolerance and extremism.

In an exclusive talk to this scribe, Dr. Paul Jacob Bhatti elaborated that the Sialkot incident could have been averted if it occurred in any other Islamic country including Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Turkey and the reason is simple- they have strict laws and on spot implementation. But here, unfortunately, how someone’s life could be saved when the police are scared and mob is violent.

A politician and a philanthropist, Dr. Bhatti further said that using religion for vested interests and targeting anyone in the name of blasphemy is not part of the teachings of any religion. “Even our courts have remarked, that in majority of cases that revolves around blasphemy, have been misused,” he maintained. He said we need to understand these religious teachings things and also to teach youngsters to promote interfaith harmony and peace in the country.

He urged parliamentarians, media, religious scholars to highlight the factors that promote negative trends in the state and take remedial steps. “Much work has been done on interfaith harmony and diversity, seminars and conferences have been organized nationally and internationally, but the problem is simple- we Pakistanis are not united. We must follow the religious teachings with its true spirit,” he added.

Dr. Paul Bhatti, an Italian national said “No one has the rights to impose his will to other person. We, also, urgently need to highlight the teachings of all religions. If I am a Christian and in some trouble, no matter what religion you belong to, the teaching of that religion is to help me mitigating this problem, it’s a universal religion,” he maintained.

"Why is this intolerance prevalent so violent? why does the state bow down? What should be the immediate course of action, it needs to be discussed, and for this the ulema (clerics) of all religions have to play their role.

He added that if a person does not adopt moral values, means he is not aware of the fundamental teachings of his religion.

Remembering his slain brother, Shahbaz Bhatti, Dr. Paul Bhatti said that Shahbaz Bhatti was an iconic person. He was proactive in promoting inter-religious harmony nd relationship among people of diverse faiths. “He always wanted for peaceful and co-existence society- but he had to paid the price from extremists- his assassination,” he said.

Dr. Paul Bhatti, also a politician, said that after the death of Shahbaz Bhatti, the 18th amendment was approved, then the Ministry of Minority Affairs was abolished, after which he made efforts for the approval of Ministry of Interfaith Harmony.

Talking about the formation of interfaith society, Dr. Bhatti said people of all religion must think, analyse and prepare themselves to play role in the society. “My aim is to unite people, regardless which religion, caste, creed, one belongs to. I am doing it all over the world. Basically, I want peace all over the world, and this is my only goal (of life),” he concluded.

CONCERTED EFFORTS FROM ALL QUARTERS OF SOCIETY REQUIRED TO “SAY NO TO GBV”

MAHTAB BASHIR
mahtabbashir@gmail.com

0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD

Not a day seems to pass without new bone-chilling reports of inhumane violence and abuse perpetrated against women and children in Pakistan - against girls in particular. Violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violations in the world. It knows no social, economic or national boundaries.

The participants of training workshop on GBV

Worldwide, an estimated one in three women experience physical or sexual abuse in her lifetime. While Gender-based violence (GBV) is not new and certainly not unique to Pakistan. The immediate and long-lasting consequences to the individual, family and society at large are far-reaching and ought to be taken more seriously. 

The health consequences of violence are enormous and include permanent disability, lingering psychological trauma, unwanted pregnancies and complications associated with forced or unsafe abortions. Exposure to, and fear of violence deprives women and girls of their rights - to education, health and decent livelihoods. Child marriage alone, which affects 59% of girls in Pakistan, is one of its worst forms.

The participants, majority of them were journalists, in a training workshop of ‘Reporting on Gender Based Violence (GBV), Child Protection and GBV cases involving children as accused/ victims’ said that access to justice still remains complicated, costly, and lengthy for women and the children. They noted that media can help change perceptions of gender-based violence, and end the culture of acceptance of such violence and the social stigma attached to the victims, however, country's media failed persistently to grasp the importance of the issue and recognise the role of women.This one-day training session was organized in a local hotel of Federal Capital by Group Development Pakistan in association with Women Journalists Association of Pakistan (WJAP). 

Myra Imran & Fouzia Rana conducting the training

Prominent journalists and rights activists Myra Imran and Fouzia Kulsoom Rana conducted the sessions while Sharafat Ali Chaudhary, a lawyer of IHC carried out orientation sessions to laws protecting children and women under PPC and Cyber Crime Act, and reporting under such laws on multimedia/ PowerPoint slides.

Both female journalists cum trainers, Myra Imran and Fouzia K. Rana shared the types of child rights violations, GBV, child protection, impact of insensitive media reporting putting huge responsibility on role of media.Earlier on, each participant after giving a quick introduction narrated a memorable tale of their childhood and its repercussions- majority of them told their elders reacted severely, that highlights the pressure of society for snubbing.

The participants of their views were that "Media should be much more conscientious in keeping the society accountable, and holding law enforcement agencies accountable for implementation of the already formed law."

Participants discussing the GBV & its repercussions

They said that GBV is multi-dimensional and eliminating it will require simultaneous action on different fronts to be effective. Some examples include- changing social norms that make communities indifferent to GBV. Prevention through sustained community awareness and engagement; an overhaul to the legal system that blames the victim through proper handling of victim cases with the police including proper recording in Police database system, referral to Court; accelerated and impartial Court cases, and punitive actions against perpetrators, etc.

The participants in the sessions came up with thought provoking ideas and comments, which reflected the fact that they are very much aware and sensitive regarding the issue of GBV prevalent in society. They believe that such violence starts from family and as such the family members need to be sensitized first. But the work has to start simultaneously at all levels in society they commented. 

Women do not require sympathy, but equal status. People have to learn to respect women. The topic of gender based violence has to be included in the curriculum. Both, girls and boys must receive 'Life-Skill Based Education' so that they can be empowered and develop themselves financially, one of the major reasons behind gender based violence.

Additionally, networks should be created to fight against such violence and this network should have branches at every corner of the country involving people from different age groups, caste, creed and religion. It was pointed out by a participant that violence against women cannot be stopped keeping the 'culture of violence' in various forms in the society.

A female journalist participant said that media can also inform people about the facilities available to get justice and recounted how media activism encouraged more women to speak up and report sexual harassment. She said one of the main reasons for gender-based and sexual violence was undervaluing the role of women in society and in economy.

She noted that the country's media failed persistently to grasp the importance of the issue and recognise the role of women. "Media should be much more conscientious in keeping the society accountable, and holding law enforcement agencies accountable for implementation of the law, she maintained.

Another participant said that only a few media houses complied with the guidelines and formed complaint committees. Media houses should educate themselves before proceeding to teach others, and be careful about the portrayal of an incident, victims and perpetrators of sexual violence, he said. News reports should include community experts' opinions on prevention of such crimes and also community responses to it, he said.

Fouzia Rana said political news always got priority over women's issues in male-dominated newsrooms. She stressed the need for sensitivity training for journalists, and suggested that more women should be there at policy-making level in media houses.

Aslam Lurka, a senior journalist said the concept of masculinity should be deconstructed. “Men should be taught to become human beings and not just men so that they can respect another human being,” he said. He said, "Sex education within limits could well be a part of our national curriculum so that a child must be aware initially about the good and bad touch". 

A veteran journalist Farah said "Many women withdraw cases because of the lengthy process and lack of evidence.” She said it was important to preserve evidence, and maintain forensic and DNA laboratories across the country. She also emphasized on investigative and follow-up reports.

A group photograph

The workshop concluded with suggestions to end GBV. The participants of their views that combating GBV is no easy task, a multifaceted response will be required, in the form of a national action plan with a dedicated budget. It will importantly also require a change in social norms to make violence against women and girls unacceptable.

They said change will have to start with our youngest. Only if children, adolescents and young people grow up with the necessary life skills that enable them to have respectful relationships and build a peaceful society without impunity for violence, we will succeed in eliminating GBV.

At the same time it will require continuous investments in girls and women - in their health, education, employment and safety in the homes, schools, work places and public spaces.

It is not enough to feel outraged by the harrowing atrocities against women, girls and children reported daily in both Urdu and English news Media. It is time for a concerted action so together we "Say NO to Gender-Based Violence".

BLOGGERS & HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS' PHYSICAL & PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY SHOULD COME FIRST

*State and Media organizations must ensure that journalists are trained on precautions and equipped with protective material
*Participants of ‘training workshop on safety, digital security and psycho-social support’ stress

ISLAMABAD:

Journalists - whether a stringer, full-timer or a blogger - are targeted or become collateral victims in an atmosphere of intense religio-political tension in Pakistan. A sense of despair and hopelessness about the future was the one prevalent sentiment as common among all the participants Bloggers and Rights’ Defenders that was expressed in a “3-Days Training on Safety, Digital Security and Psycho-social Support for Bloggers and Human Rights Defenders”.

The participants from various cities of the country along with the trainers were of their opinion that Bloggers and HRD’s need to take increased security measures against physical and digital threat of infringement on sensitive information they deal with, for both their personal and professional security.

Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) in association with European Union, Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI) and Media Matters for Democracy organized this three days (October 22-24, 2021) Safety and Security Workshop in a local hotel of Federal Capital.

The trainer Syed Tahir Mahmood with his trademark authority of knowledge studded with updated examples and a strong sense of humour not only taught the Basic Pre Security arrangements to First Aid Training and Weapons & Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) Awareness but also made the participants glued to their seats as no member wanted to skip the session. Participants got to know about how to Control Digital and Personal Security, in a later session conducted by Asif Iqbal. Laraib Sheikh of PPF was the coordinator of the workshop. Pakistan Press Foundation, during the 4th wave of Coronavirus conducted this workshop following the Covid19 SOP’s.

Syed Tahir Mahmood- a renowned trainer having a vast experience working and providing trainings in security, development and corporate sector briefed journalists about first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CRP). First Aid training helps prepare individuals to deliver initial emergency procedures in response to bomb blasts, road accidents, bleeding after severe injuries, and mental stress.

He performed demonstrations about the emergency procedures to guide the participants, who showed a keen interest in all the training sessions. The bloggers and HRDs expressed satisfaction that they learnt the emergency procedures to respond to any unpleasant situation.

Reporting on subjects such as gang violence, social issues, terrorism, state corruption or human rights abuses, or reporting that is otherwise critical of government or public officials, leaves journalists and rights’ activists the most vulnerable to various forms of attacks and violence

It is the matter of great concern that the workers of media and civil society are facing rising cases of physical dangers, online harassment and social & psychological pressures while performing their duties.

The workshop apprised the representatives of media and civil society through safety training about safeguarding themselves while using their democratic right. In workshop participants learnt how to conduct the risk assessment prior to coverage, how to cope with unexpected circumstances and emergencies.

Participants of the eighth security workshop learn how to maintain safety in different scenarios physically and digitally, techniques to break the attack cycle, prevention and survival techniques against kidnapping were discussed, self-defense methods were also demonstrated and participants practiced each method.

These safety training workshops enhanced the professional skills of the participants and also helped them cope with unsafe and stressful situations during the course of duty. Session on psychosocial support proved to be extremely informative, participants discussed various issues with the trainer, importance of mental health and its impact over work was also discussed.

The participants of bloggers and human rights defenders commended the efforts of Pakistan Press Foundation and the European Union for organizing such training sessions and requested to continue similar training sessions for other bloggers and human rights defenders to learn techniques for safety.

An Islamabad based participants acknowledging the efforts of organizers said that, “The moment this workshop starts with a multimedia (PowerPoint), of a quote from Irish Liberation Army (ILA) in context of an assassination attempt to British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in 1984, I felt that the trainer Syed Tahir Mahmood is not an ordinary stuff. Later, as the time progresses, it is proven. Tahir, indeed, is a practical man who could assess everything with hand-on knowledge,” he maintains.

A young participant, Atif Ali Qureshi opines that “Safety training by PPF was great exposure for me. We are bloggers and human defenders who work for society very passionately, always moving forward taking risks in their lives. They move forward and keep going. They face hurdles. They don't always have preferable situations. They work in rainy weather, they work under the sun in hot weather and they work in a conflict zone. When a blogger writes anything in support of society or for hundreds of innocent people, he has to face powerful criminals; he has to bear threats from them. This have their cost and nothing is without cost many journalist and bloggers have paid this cost by giving their life for the human support, Three things can never be hide the sun, the moon and the truth same thing bloggers and human defenders do they never hide truth which is the right of every person to know, which is the essential ingredient of society to keep it clean for which Socrates and all the seekers of the truth have given their life by saying that we prefer to die with truth instead of living with lie. Pakistan is a very sensitive country which is a under developing country, developing countries when they are on their way of development. At that time, some problems exist like security issues and development of society by getting rid of extremist corruption and criminals. At that time, HDRs and bloggers keep working for the right cause and improvement of society. In this tough time PPF appeared like a blessing in disguise which stood for the safety of HDRs and bloggers to teach them practically how to take care of themselves.”

Syeda Azka Ayman, a female participant reckons it an amazing experience of learning. She says, “Being

a part of this security training workshop by PPF , has been an amazing experience for me.To be honest, I would like to share that before this marvellous event I was somewhat unaware of the security measures I and all the other peeps around need to take for securing our survival. Just for instance , when I'm walking beside a road I can't stop my mind from following a series of flashbacks of self defense. Everything including risk assessment, First aid training, trauma and self care, digital security session and personal security were full of zeal and inspiration.This workshop has not only equipped me with dexterity but also has influenced my mindset with abundance of inducement and incitement. Working in such mesmerising environment with enthusiastic trainees has aided in primping up and grooming myself to a great extent.It must have been the best training session I've had throughout , in supervision of the most dedicated and excellent trainer Mr Syed Tahir Mehmood who has been an inspiration to us by his positive attitude and meaningful efforts”.

Another participant Mirwaise Khan, a journalist hailing from Balochistan who is currently working for

92 News says that “Personally to me being a journalist from a controlled province by the security apparatus, I get seconds thoughts for writing a blog, article or to highlight the flight of the people of the province. The security training workshop by (PPF) I attended has really extended my horizons of thinking about my personal security in the current situation. I was ignorant of many threats associated with Journalism and covering stories that may create situations where my personal security can come under immense threat from many stakeholders. Trainer Mr Syed Tahir Mehmood, a professional with proven security risk management experience, equipped me with the knowledge from the basics of threat perception to the effective management of the fall out of the emerging risks that may result in my line of profession. Securing my digital privacy, taking care myself in case of any medical emergency, performing CPR, avoiding land mines, avoiding being followed and kidnapped were the important aspects of the training which is something I was unaware of and now I feel confident while doing journalism effectively”.

A LIBRARY BURNS TO THE GROUND: RIP DR. S.M. MOIN QURESHI

MAHTAB BASHIR

mahtabbashir@gmail.com
ISLAMABAD
0333 53 63 248

He was a quality satirist, a columnist at par, an eminent critique, a devoted researcher, a humble, polite and down to earth creature, an arduous linguist and last but no way the least an author of 30+ reference books on various socio- economic to religio-political issues.

He was Dr. S.M. Moin Qureshi, who closed his eyes for good on Monday, September 20, 2021 in Karachi, to open every Pakistani’s eyes on societal abnormalities. With his death, an era in Urdu literature has come to an end.

It was a scorching hot day of 16th July, 2016, when I chanced to meet this elegant and cheerful person inside the auditorium of Federal Urdu University, Islamabad. I was invited there to attend an Eight days long workshop on “Urdu Correspondence”. I have not been familiar with the Urdu Correspondence as being worked for English Newspapers (Daily Times/ Pakistan Today) for the last 10 years. So I thought to grab this opportunity as being part of Urdu Daily (my first experience from 2012).

I spend 20 minutes sitting inside (the auditorium), having a quick introduction and listening the introductory preamble from Dr. S.M. Moin Qureshi in his own idiosyncratic satirical style and quoted many of his sarcastic writings, I hurriedly made the exit of hall and made quick calls to the members of Federal Education Reporters’ Association (FERA) - an association comprising education beat reporters from Islamabad. As being the Information Secretary of FERA at that time, I requested each call receivers to turn up here because I’ve found this gentleman (Dr. S.M. Moin Qureshi) is not an ordinary soul. First day, I was alone from the FERA with other students from various public sector organizations.

A group photo with Dr. SM Moin Qureshi

Next day, I found the capacity hall with maximum FERA representation. The workshop was arranged by Urdu University Islamabad in association with Anjuman-e-Taraqqi-e-Urdu Pakistan in which Dr. Fatima Hassan also participated.

These eight days flown away like the blink on an eye. During this, especially I alongside FERA members including Tauseef Abbasi (Online/ Jinnah), Zafar Sirpa (President FERA) and others not only learnt phrases, usage of words, correct pronunciation of commonly used words from Dr. Qureshi but also made him appreciating our presence too. I found him pretty jolly at this age (in 60’s) so without wasting my time, I started asking him a number of questions each day. First day, when I asked Dr. Qureshi, “Dr. sb, you have been retired from Sindh Social Security, now how are you spending your life? He retorted, “Bhai Mahtab… I have been retired but I am not tired”, this answer made me tickle. Later, when I got late, Dr.sb asked from the participants “Aaj wo bari bari ankhon wala larka nazar nahi a raha”.

Dr. Qureshi during this workshop also started dictation from the participants. Each day, he dictated us and then he gave us not only marks but awarded the best student with a note of Rs.100. I was the blessed one to grab

Having a treasure of Rs. 100. Dr Fatima Hassan also in the pic.

that 100 Rs note thrice, but Tauseef Abbasi not only declared the best student of the class but also got that award of distinction with Rs.2000 cash prize. .

He was an avid music lover and theatre and movie fan. I remember, one of the last days, during the workshop, he started singing an old Indian song with the lyrics, “Na ye chand ho ga, na taray rahain ge, magar hum hamesha, tumharay rahain ge” and asked: Who is the singer. The melody, the note, the composition looks familiar to Mukesh Kumar’s, sitting in the front row- I prompted, “Mukesh Kumar”, Dr sb. He said, “Majority yahi samjhty hain, or tum bhi usi majority mein se ho. This song is from an old Indian movie ‘Shart” released in 1954 starring Shayama and Deepak. This melodious and melancholic song sung by Hemant Kumar” was enough for my embarrassment.

During those Eight-days he spoke at length about the importance of reading. He often expressed his pleasant surprise at the turn-out in the workshop of each day and admitted that “Islamabadites (students) are the best in learning, understanding and putting up questions”.

Worth a Rs.100 note

On the final day of the workshop 23rd July, 2016, we planned to visit historic places of Islamabad- Buddha’s garden, caves, and well build in ancient times at Shah Allah Ditta. He was more than surprised to visit those ancient palaces in the suburbs of Federal Capital.

While holding his hand at Shah Allah Ditta’s uneven spots, I asked, “Dr. sb, you earlier mentioned you have tied the knot at the age of 18. What’s your suggestion to younger couples of secret of married life”? With his trademark smile, he replied, “Yar… aik hi tareeka hay, pass kar ya bardasht kar”. What do you mean by pass kar, I continued asking. “lafz pass urdu wala bhi hay or English wala bhi, yani Pass on ka matlub hua.. Escape ka button dabaty jao, pass ka matlub hua… ke wohi kamyab hay. Aor bardasht bhi ap ny hi karna hay”, he replied laughingly. I said, yani it’s a win win situation for her? And our laughter vanished somewhere in the caves.

On a serious note, when I asked him the difference between Tanz (satire) and Mazah (humour), he replied, “Tanz main kaat hoti hay, it can rip one’s through. Mazah makes one laugh on the same issue. Yani Mazah hansta hay, tanz dasta hy. “Mazah bhary pait sy nikalta hay jabke Tanz bhookay pait ki paidawar he. Mazah or mazak main farq hona chahiay. Mazah tarz-e-tehreer hay, sinf nahi hay, usloob he, he kept on talking.

FERA family visits Karachi

In 2018, Team FERA visited Karachi. I, unfortunately was not part of it. FERA visited few of Educational Institutions/ Universities. Upon their return, few of FERA members including Zafar Sipra, Zaigham Naqvi, Asim Jilani, Shahid Ajmal, Ch. Aamir, Hira Waheed, Shahbaz Qureshi, Tauseef Abbasi and others visited Dr. S.M Moin Qureshi at his residence. “He greeted us warmly, was pleasantly surprised to meet us all. We had a great time having chit chat and revisiting memories. Later, Dr. sb carried us all to a huge room. It was a mini-cinema. We all had watched a movie. He was a cinema lover. Had a wide range of Indian, English, Pakistani movies collection at this mini theatre at home,” they told this scribe adding he was a jolly good person, down to earth, he will be remembered forever. 

Meanwhile, Tauseef Abbasi and I were regularly in touch with Dr. S.M. Moin Qureshi. His response on whatsapp and messenger was quick. On his birthday September 15, I send him Birthday greetings. It was perhaps, the first and the last time, I didn’t get his response. I thought he is not well, so I didn’t call him until September 20th morning, when Tauseef Abbasi broke the news of Dr. S.M. Qureshi’s departure.

Tauseef Abbasi, while paying tribute to Dr. Qureshi writes, “

استاد محترم جناب ایس ایم معین قریشی علم کا نور بانٹتے بانٹتے داعی اجل کو لبیک کہہ گئے ۔ صد افسوس کہ ان سے تربیتی کورس کے بعد کراچی ڈیفنس ان کے گھر میں صرف ایک ملاقات نصیب ہوئی۔

قلیل دورانیہ کے تربیتی کورس کے 60 کے لگ بھگ کے دیگر شاگردوں میں سے ایک میں بھی تھا۔ استاد مرحوم نے اس تربیتی کورس میں مجھے حاضری ، حاضر دماغی ، نظم و ضبط ، نصاب کی تفہیم ،انفرادی کاوش اور عمومی رویہ کی بنیاد پر بیج کا بہترین طالب علم قرار دیا اور سند تحسین عنائیت فرمائی ۔

Visit to Shah Allah Ditta Caves

ڈیفنس کراچی میں فیرا ٹیم کو اپنے گھر دیکھ کر ان کی خوشی دیدنی تھی۔ اپنے اعزازت دکھاۓ ، بہو کے ہاتھ کے بنے پکوان کھلاۓ اور گھر میں بنے منی سینما میں فلم بھی دکھائی۔

فون پر جب بھی بات ہوتی میرے احوال کے بعد فیرا فیملی کا ضرور پوچھتے آخری دفعہ بات ہوئی تو کہنے لگے توصیف پھر کراچی نہیں اے سب دوستوں کو سلام دینا اور شرارتی آنکھوں والے اپنے دوست (ماہتاب بشیر)کو بتانا میں اسے یاد کر رہا ہوں۔

ڈاکٹر صاحب نےجو علم حاصل کیا تا عمر بطور صدقہ آگے بانٹتے رہے۔ آج جب وه اس جہاں فانی سے جہاں ابدی جا چکے ان کا پھیلایا نور نسلوں کو منور اور ان کے لئے آخرت کا خزینہ بنتا رہے گا۔

اللّه کریم ڈاکٹر ایس ایم معین قریشی کی قبر کو نور سے بھر دے۔۔۔

آمین ثمہ آمین

Dr. S.M Moin Qureshi’s scholarly articles and columns both in Urdu and English have been regularly published in Pakistan’s leading journals and newspapers. He was the patron of promotion of Urdu language. “Urdu is nowhere in the public sector offices yet. Where is Supreme Court’s judgement? Aaj humain Urdu ki tehreek ke sath sath, mazah ki tehreek chalany ki bhi ashad zarurat he”, he told this scribe referring Urdu language usage in Dilawar Figar’s quatrain “Aik University mein kisi Suit Posh sy, Main ne kaha ke aap hain kia- koi sergeant? Kehny lagay ke aapsy mistake ho gai, I am the head of the Urdu Department”.

He has authored about 30 memorable books- all considered to be the reference work in the relevant discipline. The title’s of the books says it all what’s inside it. Wandering & Wondering, Ab Main Likhun Ke Na Likhun, Europe Se Europe Tak, Baal-e-Qarz Muhaal, Har Shaakh pe…, West is West, The Straight Path, From Here to Fraternity, East is East, Hawaas-e-Khasta, Pahaar Talay, Kitnay Aadmi thay, Yun Nahi Yun, Tears for Cheers, Ba Nazr-e-Ghair, Headlight, Khud Khush Hamla, Loot Sale are few of classics.

With his services rendered to Urdu literature, we remember Dr. S.M. Moin Qureshi as an asset of Pakistan. We pray Almighty Allah to give him the superlative spot in Heaven.

First, you dedicated this to all of us, but, now, it is time to reciprocate, though I think, we cannot. Here’s for you!

In a workshop (exam day)

نہ یہ چاند ہو گا، نہ تارے رہیں گے

مگر ہم ہمیشہ تمہارے رہیں گے،

بچھڑ کر چلے جائیں تم سے کہیں،

تو یہ نہ سمجھنا محبت نہیں،

جہاں بھی رہیں ہم تمہارے رہیں گے،

نہ یہ چاند ہو گا، نہ تارے رہیں گے،

مگر ہم ہمیشہ تمہارے رہیں گے۔

زمانہ اگر کچھ کہے بھی تو کیا،

مگر تم نہ کہنا ہمیں بے وفا،

تمہارے لئے ہیں، تمہارے رہیں گے،

نہ یہ چاند ہو گا، نہ تارے رہیں گے،

مگر ہم ہمیشہ تمہارے رہیں گے ۔۔۔۔۔۔۔