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Staff Reporter
Islamabad—Speakers at a reference on Tuesday paid rich tributes to the literary and political services rendered by the late Dr M. Ayub Mirza.
Addressing the reference arranged by a literary organization ‘Daira’ and ‘Dr Ayub Mirza Memorial Society’, they said that Dr Ayub Mirza had played a dynamic role in Pak-China friendship and his contribution in the regard is laudable.
Throughout his life, Ayub remained purposefully engaged and led a remarkably productive life. He was always loyal and generous to his friends.
The speakers said Ayub was a key figure of the Democratic Students Federation (DSF), which led the student movement coordinated by the Inter-Collegiate Body (ICB) that shook the entire country and resulted in significant concessions for students’ rights until the clamp down on all progressive forces in Pakistan in 1953.
Besides his work as a student leader, he will be remembered for his contributions to Urdu literature and to the promotion of Pak-China friendship.
Son of late Dr Ayub, Amjad Ayub Mirza said that he founded the Democratic Student Federation in 1950 and worked for the rights of the people.
He joined National Awami Party in 70s and encouraged people to raise voices against the dictatorial rule of Ayub Khan. He got fame as revolutionary politician, writer and a human right activist. As a father, he was an excellent man who gave vision to face the challenges and hardships of life, Amjad said.
His writings include Faiz’s biography “Hum Key Thehray Ajnabi”, Dada Amir Hyder’s biography (in Urdu) “Dada”, a collection of Urdu verse, “Lahoo Main Dhanak”, “Faiz Nama”, a 600-page book which was also published in India, and his autobiography, “Bergay Jahan Deeda.”
A number of people from different walks of life including Younas Butt, Rukhsana Nazi, Malik M. Iqbal, Ibrar Rizvi, Skakila Sabir, Akhter Iqbal Khawaja, Agha Nasir, Aftab Iqbal Shamim paid tributed to Dr. Ayub.
Dr Mirza remembered as committed socialist
By Jonaid Iqbal
ISLAMABAD, Oct 5: Friends remembered late Dr Ayub Mirza here on Tuesday as a committed socialist, though he came to be known as the biographer of Faiz Ahmed Faiz.
In the national reference arranged by literary magazine, Daira, the speakers said the biography, Ham kay tharey ajnabi, made Dr Mirza’s name synonymous with Faiz. The reference was addressed by Mazdoor Kisan Party President Afzal Khamosh, Agha Nasir, Prof Aftab Iqbal Shamim, Prof Jalil Aali, Dr Amjad Pervez and many others.
The speakers highlighted Dr Mirza’s commitment to socialism from his younger days. “We saw a demonstration of that when he participated in the first student uprising against the government in Karachi in 1951,” said Agha Nasir. He termed Ham kay tharey ajnabi as a reference book for understanding Faiz.
Mr Khamosh said Dr Mirza seized every opportunity of advancing the cause of peasants and workers.
Dr Pervez remembered his father as a socialist but a strict disciplinarian at home. His greatest desire was to see his son work for the rights of peasants and workers.
The speakers also highlighted Dr Mirza’s work for establishing Pakistan-China Friendship Association. Prof Shamim said he wanted a deep personal friendship between the people of Pakistan and China.
Prof Aali talked about Dr Mirza’s biography of communist leader, Dada Amir Haidar. He said the physician held long sessions with Amir Haider at his home. The inspiration came from the biography of Mao Zedong, which Prof Aali gave to Dr Mirza.
Dr Ghazanfar Mehdi narrated the story of holding a usual meeting to honour Faiz. Islamabad was the venue but then deputy commissioner sent a notice against holding meeting in view of section 144. But the deputy commissioner also showed them the way to hold the meeting, asking them to invite a minister. Dr Mirza and Dr Mehdi found then Finance Minister Dr Mahbubul Haque to chair the meeting. “It was a memorable meeting in which Faiz was also present,” Dr Mehdi remembered.
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