Reference for Dr Ayub Mirza, Sept 26, Bradford

South Asian Peoples Forum is holding a Condolence Reference to pay homage to the late Dr. Ayub Mirza, former President Pak-China Friendship Association, former President PMA (Pakistan Medical Association), prominent Progressive Writer, biographer and Revolutionary Politician

Dr Ayub Mirza update

Dr Ayub Mirza, a leading figure of the 1950s’ student movement and DSF, a life long friend of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and author of Faiz’s biography ‘Hum Keh Thehray Ajnabi’, has been seriously ill; good news is he’s better now.

‘Youth to celebrate student movement of 1953′

I remember we would visit his clinic in Firdous Colony in Nazimabad in late 1960s to collect funds when National Students Federation (NSF) launched a protest movement against military dictator Gen. Ayub Khan and he was always generous. In fact he handed over his entire day’s earnings to us and we made it a point to visit his clinic late so that we may get more fund.

Jab Tujhe Yaad Kar Liya – documentary on Faiz, 2008

Jab Tujhe Yaad Kar Liya – a short documentary tribute to Faiz Ahmad Faiz on his death anniversary last year, directed by Sharjil Baloch for the BBC, Nov 20, 2008 – featuring interviews with Dr M. Sarwar, Dr Haroon Ahmed, and Saleem Asmi, memories and music by S.M. Shahid, and recitals by Khalid Ahmed

Honouring Zaheer Kashmiri and the PWA

Remembering the life and works of the legendary Marxist, progressive poet and activist, a literary critic, and a strong influence of and upon Progressive Writers Movement (Anjuman-e-Taraqi Pasand Musanafeen), Sept 9, Lahore

PMA’s Faiz mushaira – photos 1983

Dr Sarwar was General Secretary of the Pakistan Medical Association when they held a ‘mushaira’ in 1983 to honour the progressive poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz whose poetry was anathema to the military regime of Gen. Ziaul Haq. In these photos, Dr Sarwar, Dr Badar Siddiqi and Dr Tipu Sultan sit on the dias along with Faiz Sahib, all of them clearly enjoying themselves.