A gathering was arranged by the Sindh Culture Department to commemorate the 18th death anniversary of journalist, intellectual, writer and critic Faqir Muhammad Lashari on Sunday evening at a hotel.
The young generation should follow the footsteps of Faqir Lashari who paved the way for human freedom, the chief guest on the occasion, acting Sindh Governor Nisar Ahmed Khuhro told the participants of the event.
“The late Faqir Muhammad Lashari through his courage played a vital role being a journalist and a humanist in particular and left a deep impact on our lives for
in terms of social values,” Khuhro added.
The acting governor termed to the late writer’s writings and efforts during the rule of dictatorship and the era of tyranny as a landmark for the whole society. He said that the days of Faqir Muhammad Lashari, Dr Ismail Odhejo and Jagdesh Kumar Malani and other heroes of our society should be observed with rich tributes so that next generation is aware of these people’s lives and struggles.
Speaking on politics, Khuhro said that the Pakistan People’s Party has been able to strengthen democracy through its policy of reconciliation and collective thinking
under the vision of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and those who had a two third majority and a heavy mandate were unable to achieve this task or solve people’s problems.
“We have achieved provincial autonomy, NFC on a multifarious formula and rights and ownership on various resources. Even Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, though in majority, kept Khan Abdul Qayoom Khan with him. Anti-democratic forces keep derailing the system after every 10 years and impose the system of governance of their liking,” he added.
Sindh Culture Minister Sassui Palijo also paid rich tributes to late Faqir Muhammad Lashari and said that his writings, editorials and other works should be used by the next generation in their professional obligations and trainings because his contributions can provide them with the message of truth, courage and awakening.
“Journalism should be accountable like politics. The late Faqir Muhammad Lashari
spread public awareness through his editorials and other works and
told the truth. He never bowed down before any dictator. Even Jam Sadiq Ali and Muzaffar Shah had tried to subjugate him, but he never compromised on his principles. Lashari was a courageous journalist,” she said.
Palijo said that the government appreciates good journalism but some planning and a code of conduct for responsible and free media is necessary.
“Journalism was maintained in a systemised and standardised manner by the late Faqir Muhammad Lashari through his paper and this should be followed by today’s journalists” she added.
The culture minister said that the Culture Department intends to reprint and
publish Lashari’s writings. Noted personalities including Mahesh Malani, Ghulam Qadir Palijo, Dr Suleman Shaikh, Dr Fehmida Hussain, Prof Aijaz Qureshi, Dr Aakash Ansari, Dasatgir Bhatti, Dr Jabbar Khatak, Zarar Pirzado, Zaid Pirzado and the daughter and son of Faqir Muhammad Lashari, Nusrat Lashari and Sarang Lashari also highlighted
the life, struggle and contributions of the late journalist and were of the view that his death anniversary would be observed as a national day.
