Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) on Monday held a one-day literacy conference, paying rich tributes to Baloch poet and intellectual Muhammad Gul Khan Nasir for his struggle for the cause oppressed section of the society.
The conference was part of the series of activities undertaken by the University to promote the literacy work of famous poets and writers.
AIOU Vice Chancellor Dr Shahid Siddiqui who presided over the conference said Gul Khan was a great poet and intellectual who through his pen promoted human values and norms. He will always be remembered because of his revolutionary thoughts that helped to reforms the society and get rid of imperialistic thinking and attitude.
Local languages and cultural need to be promoted through all possible means, and this connection, he assured the university will fulfil its responsibility.
Dr Wahid Bakhsh Buzdar in his key-note address highlighted various aspects of Gul Khan’s personality and work.
Social Science Chairman Dr Rashid A Naeem and Department of Pakistan Languages In-charge Dr Abdullah Jan Abid and Ziaur Rehman Baloch also spoke on the occasion.
The speakers noted that Gul Khan was known as ‘Malek o-Sho’ara Balochistan’ and was at the forefront of the Baloch Nationalist Movement and was most active between 1935 to 1980.
Mir Gul Khan Nasir was arrested on several occasions from 1939 to 1978 on many different charges, most of them pertaining to politics. He collectively spent almost 15 years of his life in jail. Mir Gul Khan Nasir wrote poems in English, Urdu, Balochi, Brahui and Persian. Most of his poems are in Balochi language.
