Weekly Celebrations of Independence Day” organized by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
Islamabad,(Parliament Times): The existence of those nations in the world lasts forever, who always remember the outstanding and unforgettable services of their heroes. Every nation is proud of its living and enlightened history and transmits these historical events to increase the awareness of the new generation and to awaken the national consciousness. These views were expressed by Shafqat Mehmood, Federal Minister for Education & Professional Training and National Heritage & Culture, who inaugurated the Independence Day celebrations of August 10-16, 2020 under the online “Weekly Celebrations of Independence Day” organized by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL). He was the Chief Guest of the occasion.
Prof. Fateh Mohammad Malik presided over the function and the guests of honor were Kishwar Naheed and Zahida Hina. Dr. Yousuf Khushk, Chairman of PAL presented the introductory Note. Dr. Ehsan Akbar, Jabbar Mirza, Dr. Abdul Aziz Sahir, Dr. Qazi Abid, Haroon-ur-Rasheed Tabassum, Zia-ud-Din Naeem, Ahmad Ataullah, Dr. Muhammad Ali Manjhi, Dr. Rashid Hameed, Dr. Basira Umbereen and Dr. Hanif Khalil spoke on the occasion. Program moderated by Dr. Abid Sial.
Shafqat Mahmood said that the writers always performed their duties with determination, boldness and courage and also continued to provide mental and intellectual guidance to other sections of the society. Even during the Tehreek-e-Pakistan, the writers took full part in this movement along with the politicians and guided the people in the right direction with their pens. In the newspapers and meetings of that time, writers fought with their pen war forTehreek-e-Pakistan against the British. Poets have given a new passion and encouragement to the nation through their poetry.
The Federal Minister said that literature written all over the world has a purpose. The literature created by the writers regarding the Tehreek-e-Pakistan has value. It has significance, purpose and usefulness. During the struggle for Pakistan, the Quaid-e-Azam and other political figures as well as writers remained active.
Shafqat Mehmood said that Tehreek-e-Azadi Pakistan was a movement in which everyone participated. The services of literature in this war have also been unforgettable. Poets, writers, journalists used the pen as a weapon to raise their voice for the freedom of the homeland and awakened the minds of the people.
Dr. Yousuf Khoshk, Chairman, PAL said that literature is the only field in the world which transcends race, religion, creed and language and advocates for the freedom of thought and freedom of human beings. Our writers have never succumbed to oppression. They always raised their voices of truth. From Sir Syed to Iqbal and from Faiz to Faraz and Jalib, we have a long line of freedom fighters of whom we can be justifiably proud.
Chairman PAL said that this is the first time in the history of the PAL that a series of Independence Day celebrations will continue throughout the week. The main theme of these events is the role of writers in Tehreek-e-Pakistan and their aim is to highlight the role of writers in Tehreek-e-Pakistan.
Prof. Fateh Mohammad Malik said that regarding the Tehreek-e-Pakistan, the writers of that time breathed a new life into the hearts of Muslims through their creations. The Muslim struggle for the rights of the subcontinent and the idea of freedom emerged on March 23, 1940, in the form of a concrete concept, which set the goal for the future of the Muslims of the subcontinent. This is a bright chapter of history for the Muslims of the subcontinent and behind this, Allama Iqbal’s thoughts and creations of famous writers played an important role.
Prof. Fateh Mohammad Malik said that the vision of Quaid-e-Azam and Iqbal turned Pakistan into reality and made Pakistan. After the assassination of Liaquat Ali Khan, unfortunately, Pakistan did not get any sincere leader and the spirit of Tehreek-e-Pakistan became dusty.The nation was misled.He said that Pakistan came into being under the ideology of separate nationality. He said that in order to put Pakistan on the path of true development, the thinking of Quaid-e-Azam and Iqbal must be adopted.This thinking is the real meaning and interpretation of La IlahaIlla Allah.The role of writers in all three phases of Pakistan has been exemplary.
Kishwar Naheed said that our elders worked hard for Tehreek-e-Pakistan and we saw them doing so.We collected a few rupees for the Muslim League and then ordered money in the name of Hazrat Quaid-e-Azam and we received a reply from him.Women participated in Muslim League meetings and played their part. She said that Quaid-e-Azam used to speak in English but everyone said that this person was telling the truth, this is our sincere leader.Be it Tehreek-e-Pakistan, Tashkeel Pakistan or Takmeel Pakistan, people from all walks of life have played their part.When the writers were ahead, the role of Saadat Hassan Manto was also prominent. Today we are suffering from mental stagnation,” she said.We don’t think that’s broad.We have to set the stage for development as an enlightened nation. She said that if we had raised our voice with full force and vigor on August 5, 2019 against the illegal move in Indian Kashmir, the situation might have been different today.
Dr Ehsan Akbar said that writers have played an important role in the Tashkeel-e-Pakistan and Taamir-e-Pakistan. This is the demand of the writers even today.
Zia-ud-Din Naeem said that writers have played an important role in Tehreek-e-Pakistan, Tashkeel-e-Pakistan and Taamir-e-Pakistan but now that the ideology of Pakistan has gone into the background, we have to revive it like in the past.
Abdul Aziz Sahir that as long as there is passion and fragrance of Pakistaniness in the nation and writers,our writers will not spare any kind of sacrifice for the country.
Dr. Rashid Hameed said that Pakistan has become and now we have to take it in the right direction.
Basira Ambreen said that from the time of Tehreek-e-Pakistan till the establishment of Pakistan, the writers have played a positive role.
Press Release
Islamabad (P.R) Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) first an online “Week Independence Day celebrations” has begun. Today’s discussion program is on “Role of Journalism in Tehreek-e-Pakistan” will be held online. Mehmood Sham will preside over the discussion. Mujahid Barelvi, Pushpa Vallabh, Mazhar Abbas, Sabir Shakir, Dr. Ayub Sheikh, Qasim Naseem, Irshad Bhatti, Amjad Ali Khadim, Shahzada Zulfiqar will express their views. The proceedings will be conducted by Tariq Shahid.
The second discussion program will be on “Tehreek-e-Pakistan and Pashto Literature”. Dr. Abasin Yousafzai will preside over the discussion. Saleem Raaz will be the chief guest.K. K. Khan will present national poetry (Nazar Watan).Dr. Aslam Taseer “The Ideology of Pakistan in Pashto Poetry”, Syeda Hasina Gul “The color of resistance against Western imperialism in Pashto folk poetry”, Dr. Farkhanda Hayat, “Prominent Pakhtun Women Writers’ Struggle for Independence Services” and Bakht Rawan Omar Khel will present articles on “God’s Writers’ Written Jihad for Freedom”.Nasr Amin will moderate the event.
The third discussion program will be on “Tehreek-e-Pakistan and Sindhi Literature”.Muhammad Saleem Memon will preside over the discussion. Niaz Panhwar will be the chief guest while Dr. Hakim Barro will be the guest of honor. Introductory words by Muhammad Ali Sehto, Akhtar Dargahi “Freedom Movement, Homeland Songs (Sindhi) and Music, Mumtaz Bukhari “Tehreek-e-Azadi and Sindhi Novel”, Ibrahim Kharal “Independence Movement and Sindhi Fiction” and Sajjad Mirani will present articles on “Tehreek-e-Azadi and Sindhi Poetry”. Amar Iqbal will moderate the event.