Faraz remembered in Hunza

By: Zulfiqar Ali Khan

Hunza, October 06: The poets and intellectuals from Hunza-Nagar paid huge tributes to the renowned national poet Ahmed Faraz for spreading hope among the suppressed and marginalised communities of the country in general and Gilgit-Baltistan in particular. A gathering was held in a local hotel in Karimabad, attended by poets, political and social activists and intellectuals from Hunza and Nagar valleys. The event was jointly organised by Karwan-e-Adub Hunza and Balor Forum Hunza in collaboration with Badalthi Dunya Forum.

Aftab Ahmed Kumzad, a renowned national social activist and novelist was the Chief Guest and Ahsan Ali Advocate, President Labour Party, Gilgit-Baltistan acted as the presiding guest of the session. Dr. Nasir Mehmood; Senior Journalist, Professor Shah Jehan; Principal Degree College Bahawalpur, Ayub Malik; Editor Badalti Dunya, Farman Ali, Senior Journalist; Sultan Madad, Chairman Karavan-e-Adub Hunza, Aman ullah; Chaiman Balor Forum Hunza were among the main guests of the event.

The participants observed silence for one minute in respect of the late poet.

Sultan Madad welcomed the participants and regarded Faraz as torch-bearer for the politically isolated communities of Gilgit-Baltistan. He also highlighted the sufferings of the people of the region in the hands of establishment.

Dr. Nasir Mehmood in his speech said that Faraz had always raised voice against dictatorship, illiteracy, oppression, sectarianism and advocated for enlighten and progressive societies.  

Aftab Ahmed Kumzad said that the public academies in Pakistan have failed to produce judges, bureaucrats, military officers and politicians to serve the country with honesty and dignity. He said Faraz always fought against corruption and violation of human rights.

Engineer Amanullah in his speech highlighted the history of the region and stressed the need to give due rights to the people of Boloristan (Gilgit-Baltistan). He said the ideologies of Ahmed Faraz are alive in these snow-covered mountains.

Ahsan Ali Advocate said that like Faraz, he is also playing the politics of marginalised and oppressed people.

Ayub Malik highlighted the personality and contribution of Faraz and said, he was not only a poet but a revolutionist.

Poets from Hunza-Nagar highlighted different dimensions of the poetry of Faraz and regarded his poetries as inspiration for youth. The main poets included Sher Baz Ali Khan, Dr. Ismail Nashad; President Anjumun-e-Fikr-u-sukhun Nagar, Irfan Ali, M. Ayum Sabir; Nagar, Ikram Najmi, Tahir Hussain Tahir; Nagar, Khalid Abbas Hassaabadi, Ghulam Asghar, Jaffar Ali Jafar, Hissamullah Baig, Zulfiqar , Shahzad and Naveed Tanha. Famous national singer Ustad Rafiq Rana entertained  the audiences from the Ghazals of Ahmed Faraz and Faiz Ahmed Faiz.