By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi’s Literary Committee, Sher-o-Sukhan, hosted a special event at Gul Rang Hall to mark Youm-e-Liaquat, paying tribute to Pakistan’s first Prime Minister, Shaheed-e-Millat Liaquat Ali Khan. The session, presided over by Mahfooz-un-Nabi Khan, drew literary figures, intellectuals, and members of the public. Speakers included Khwaja Razi Haider, Iqbal Yousuf, Kishwar Zahra, Dr Nosheen Wasi, and Anees Sheikh, with proceedings moderated by Faiz Ali Khan.
In his presidential address, Mahfooz-un-Nabi Khan highlighted Liaquat Ali Khan’s negotiation skills and statesmanship, noting that while political criticism is inevitable, the Prime Minister’s dedication and leadership remained exemplary. He recalled that during Nawaz Sharif’s tenure, a committee approved naming Islamabad Airport after Liaquat Ali Khan, emphasising that national institutions should honour those who served Pakistan with distinction.
Political leader Kishwar Zahra reflected on Liaquat Ali Khan’s sacrifices and lamented that today’s society often fails to recognise the contributions of the country’s founders. She urged efforts to reconnect the youth with national heroes, highlighting the absence of their photographs and stories in museums.
Dr Nosheen Wasi criticised contemporary scholarly gatherings as lacking depth, noting that education had shifted from enlightenment to financial gain. She stressed the importance of learning from history to inspire meaningful progress and ensure that future generations value the legacies of Pakistan’s founding leaders.
