ACP honours Mahmood Sham, Dr Pirzada Qasim

The Arts Council of Pakistan (ACP) has celebrated the birthdays of poet and former University of Karachi vice chancellor Dr Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui and veteran journalist Mahmood Sham.

The event was tiled "Tum Jeeo Hazaro Saal... Poetry Dialogue". It was held at the Haseena Moin Hall of the ACP. Sindh Caretaker Information Minister and ACP President Muhammad Ahmed Shah spoke at the event along with Dr Siddiqui, Sham, Khalid Moin and Shama Afroz. The event was moderated by Hina Ambreen.

Shah also cut the birthday cake for the two intellectuals. He remarked that Dr Siddiqui and Sham had played a vital role in the welfare and promotion of ethical values of our society.

He emphasised that the ACP was an institution for writers and poets, recalling his university days when he used to roam around the varsity at night, engaging in intellectual discussions. He mentioned how he and others were then inspired by the ideas of Shaukat Siddiqui who provided them a new perspective in his talk.

The ACP president said the mobile phone technology had created much comfort, but added that mostly trash was nowadays available on social media.

Shah also emphasised the distinction between being famous and being credible in the field of art. Sham expressed gratitude to the ACP for celebrating his birthday and providing him an opportunity to listen to young poets. He acknowledged the role played by Shah in the development of the ACP and said that poetry had relevance in every era, regardless of whether it was democracy, martial law, or any other form of government.

He noted that while he had witnessed many crises in his journalistic career, the crisis of ethics nowadays was more severe. Dr Siddiqui said he was honoured to be celebrated alongside Sham as the veteran journalist was his senior.

He appreciated the transformational programs initiated by the ACP that showcased the Pakistani culture globally. Moin said Dr Siddiqui possessed deep charisma, sensitivity and grace. He added that Dr Siddiqui’s poetry resonated with melody and was characterised by lengthy verses that were not easily maintained with rhythm.

Shama remarked that as a poet, critic, analyst, columnist and knowledgeable observer of the present era, Sham had portrayed the social and political conditions of the country in a very eloquent manner. He also translated works of European poets, she added.