A rarity that will be missed
This week Pakistan lost not only a valuable asset to the field of journalism but an exceptional human being who through his vast and exemplary body of work tried to highlight social and political injustices that have plagued the country for some decades and continue to do so.
Muneer Ahmed Qureshi more popularly know as Munnu Bhai passed away in Lahore after a prolonged illness. A cultured and charming individual, Munnu bhai had a progressive and liberal outlook on life that was exemplified through his fearless writing against rampant corruption, terrorism, poverty and social degradation.
He was a staunch advocate for a free and vibrant Pakistani media that he believed if allowed to exist would aid in eradicating many of the societal ills of this country. He was revered as a brilliant playwright and poet. One of the most popular TV dramas aired in Pakistan ‘Sona aur Chandi’, was written by him.
He possessed a profound awareness of inequality in society and the hardships faced by the common man as a result. A persistent theme in his Punjabi poems would explain how difficult it was to get justice in this country as the very people responsible for dispensing that justice (police, politicians, judges etc) were themselves criminals working the system.
A testament to his connection with the have nots was his simplistic way of living. Many journalists who began their careers with Munnu Bhai took the oft-travelled and easier route in our imperfect media industry where the privilege to report and publish meaningful stories is misused for financial gain.
Munnu Bhai true to his ideals did the job like it was meant to be done with honesty and hard work – no flashy cars and huge salaries, just a love for his work that he did from his humble abode at Lahore’s Riwaz Garden.
He is a rarity in this day and age, a loss for the country both as a human being and an immensely talented writer who should be looked up to.
