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:

Doc 101: Intro to Life and How to Live It – Sehba Sarwar

Poem by Sehba Sarwar, July 31, 2009

Friends, followers pay tributes to Dr Sarwar

Scan of a report published in Dawn, Lahore edition, Aug 9, 2009 (not available on the website). N.B. Note of correction below Correction: As mentioned in the press release sent out earlier, the event was organised by ‘friends and admirers of Dr Sarwar and his legacy’. The initiator of the event was Dr Farrukh Gulzar, working [...]

Pioneer of progressive student unionism remembered

“The farmers thought that there would be an abundance of water for their fields and countless resources. But a boy from Allahabad travelled all the way to Karachi and became busy in thinking about building the future of the country. His name was Dr Sarwar and he dedicated his whole life to the purpose” – I.A. Rehman

‘What he started will never die’ – Dr M. Ayub Mirza

I remember very well an incident from those early times. Sarwar made a speech in the Medical Students’ Hall, the first political speech to have been made by a student in that college. This was an incredibly courageous act in those times.

A Missed Wake-up Call on Education 50 years Ago – S.M. Naseem, Jan 2004

The purpose of writing this article is not merely to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of those events, with which the author was also associated in a humble capacity in his student years, but also to examine the characteristics of the student movement that gave rise to it, as well as to provide a perspective on later economic and political events and its relevance to the current debates raging in the country, especially on education and human development.

‘Ah, Dr Sarwar’ – Badalti Dunya editorial (Urdu)

“Ah, Dr Mohammad Sarwar’ – monthly ‘Badalti Duniya’ editorial, June 2009

‘This wonderful Doc’ (2) – by Beena Sarwar

Sarwar practiced as a general physician for nearly fifty years from his modest clinic in a low-income area, consciously charging low fees and treating struggling workers, journalists, artists and writers for free. He was contemptuous of doctors who charged high fees, prescribing costly tests and medicines where less expensive ones would do

‘Intimations of mortality’ – Ghazi Salahuddin, The News, May 31, 2009

OpEd by Ghazi Salahuddin in The News, May 31, 2009 remembering ‘Shamman’ (Syed Mumtaz Saeed) and Dr Sarwar who died on the same day, memories that “converge in that somewhat inspirational period when so many young people were infused with social and political commitment and were willing to organise themselves and come out to agitate in defence of their socialistic ideas”
http://tinyurl.com/metrpt

‘Celebrating Sarwar’ – pix from PMA meeting, May 31, 2009

Photos from the event ‘Celebrating Sarwar’ at PMA House, Karachi, May 31, 2009. More photos at – http://tinyurl.com/PMA-pix