Aur Nikle.nge Ushhaq ke Qafley – documentary on DSF, 1949-54. 30 min, 2010

The inspiring story of Democratic Students Federation (DSF) 1949-54 (documentary, 30 min), Pakistan’s first nation-wide student movement, led by Dr M Sarwar (1930-2009). A historical documentary based on interviews, extensive research and archival material. Produced by Beena Sarwar, directed by Sharjil Baloch, 2010.

‘Looking back to look forward’: event videos now online

A play list of 16 clips from ‘Looking back to look forward’, the three-hour long event held in Karachi on Jan 9, 2010 to commemorate Dr Sarwar and the 1953 student movement. Click this playlist link to see a list of all the clips. Clickable in chronological order below:

Aur Nikle.nge Ushhaq ke Qafle: a documentary film on DSF

The inspiring story of Democratic Students Federation (DSF), Pakistan’s first nation-wide student movement, led by Dr M Sarwar (1930-2009). A historical documentary based on interviews, extensive research and archival material. Credits:

“Students Movement leaders remembered: Revival of student activism termed must for reshaping society” – PPI report

Student speakers stated that majority of students do not raise their voices against evil practices that are being imposed on them. They held education institutions responsible for not providing the right platform to raise their voices. Lastly, they urged all students to recall such sacrifices of students in 1953 movement to acquire freedom in their campuses and education institutions.

PRESS RELEASE: “LOOKING BACK TO LOOK FORWARD”

Students traditionally observed January 8th as ‘Martyrs’ Day’ in memory of the students and passers-by killed by police firing on Jan 7, 1953, during the peaceful ‘Demands Day’ procession organised by Inter Collegiate Body (ICB) and Democratic Students Federation (DSF). The High School Students Federation (HSSF) also actively participated

Students who set the tone – by Zubeida Mustafa

Today the student movement is virtually dead. The student unions that were banned in 1984 and which this government had promised to revive last year have yet to see the light of day. A break of over two decades means that the tradition of student activism of the kind Dr Sarwar espoused is no more. Is it possible in the present-day academic environment?

Jan 9-10, 2010: Event to honour and take forward the legacy of the 1950s student movement

Event to honour and take forward the legacy of Dr Sarwar and the 1950’s student movement ie. nationwide student unity based on issues concerning students, independent position (non-alignment to any political party or ideology), and organisation

Jan 8, 2010 – ‘Students’ Day’; Nov 13, Hasan Nasir Day

Over the past month, following the references at Karachi and Lahore, a small informal group has come together in order to take forward the legacy of Dr M. Sarwar. Updates following our last discussion followed by notes from the meeting

Setting the record straight on DSF (2008 article by Dr Haroon & Saleem Asmi)

Spearheaded by Mohammad Sarwar, Mir Rehman Ali Hashmi, Asif Jaffery, Asif Hameed, Yousuf Ali and Haroon Ahmed, a group of students from Dow Medical College, feeling the need to address such issues, met in 1950 at Oudh restaurant on Mission Road. The Democratic Student Federation was launched with Mohammed Sarwar elected as convenor.

Taking forward Dr Sarwar’s legacy (meeting note)

A Facebook group for Dr Sarwar; need to organise an event on Jan 8, 2010 to commemorate the students movement and its relevance today