KARACHI: Caretaker Minister of Information, Minority Affairs, Social Protection and President of Arts Council Karachi Ahmed Shah inaugurated library at Government City College here.

Library is named after renowned literary figure late Mirza Abid Abbas. Literary and social personalities including Mirza Abid Abbas’s four sons, well-known journalists Azhar Abbas, Mazhar Abbas, Zaffar Abbas and Major General (retd) Athar Abbas along with Aqeel Abbas Jafri, participated.

Ahmed Shah said, “I had friendship with Mirza Abid Abbas, and I have had many free meals at his place. I have close relationship with his family since childhood and I had keen interest in poetry since childhood. We used to have long sessions of poetry with Mirza Sahib. Society did not treat him well, but Mirza Abid Abbas had contentment on his face.

He was not as interested in fame as he was in literary world. He left field of literature and faced great difficulty to prepare him for participation in literary events. Hyderabad city was hub of Mirza Abid Abbas’s intellect and his imprints are found on walls and corridors of Government City College. There should be major road in this city named after Mirza Abid Abbas. Our society has lost its heroes. Mirza Abid Abbas used to be called Sir Syed of Hyderabad.

Whole society is in turmoil, whether money is source of respect or not. In this society, literary figures are disappointed. Purpose of programme is to revitalise architects of this society. Arts Council Karachi will donate books to library of City College. Ahmed Shah talking to media, said that today is death anniversary of literary figure Mirza Abid Abbas. He was torchbearer in this city.

History of Government City College is associated with Mirza Abid Abbas. Mirza Abid Abbas’s students include big bureaucrats, poets and writers. Mirza Abid Abbas served in teaching at Government City College for long time.

He said that national educational institutions are built. We did not give importance to field of education that civilized society should have. Now conditions around college are devastated. Hyderabad used to be city of education, literature, and lights. City has been ruined by handful of people. We are trying to revive city in its original form, make it city of colours and lights again.

He said that Arts Council Karachi is organising three-day Pakistan Literature Festival at City School Hyderabad, which will be inaugurated on March 1. Literary and artistic personalities will participate in festival and besides cultural heritage of Hyderabad, there will also be session on Mirza Abid Abbas. Artists will also perform in festival. There is no ticket for public in festival.

Under leadership of Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah PPP is fully prepared for election. Sindh government has not received any complaints about election so far. He said that decision to call Army was not ours. This decision is made by Election Commission of Pakistan, but if situation deteriorates during election, Army is ready behind. He said that social media is an uncontrolled horse.

There are also some blackmailers in media. Mazhar Abbas said, “I remember when my father passed away, there was ceremony here. Even at that time, road was same as it is today. Our courtyard is still there, but school is dilapidated. Dr. Mubarak Ali had said for my father that there has not been another principal like Mirza Abid Abbas in this college. We had to make country state, but we made it real estate.

Athar Abbas said that City College Hyderabad has many memories associated with my childhood. What I am taking from here is an asset for me. It is fortunate for me to come here from where I am taking legacy. Ahmed Shah is requested to convey my message to Mayor Hyderabad that road in this city should be named after Mirza Abid Abbas.

Aqeel Abbas Jafri shed light on some aspects of Mirza Abid Abbas’s life and his poetry for audience present. During ceremony, video address by Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar was shown in which he said that nations that remember their benefactors and leaders are never unsuccessful.

Mirza Abid Abbas was complete human being who serves as an example for today’s youth in many aspects.

Today, all five of your children are leading successful lives, one of your grandchildren, is also leading fulfilling life. Your four elder descendants hold prominent and unique position in field of journalism and publishing.

Published in The Daily National Courier, January, 18 2024

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