The passing away of progressive writer, poet and journalist Salim Raz is a massive loss. Raz was an asset to both Pashto and Urdu literary circles of the country. The poet had been admitted at Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar after testing positive for Covid-19. He breathed his last on May 17.

According to his school documents, he was born in 1943 in Sukarh Doaaba, in Charsadda district. A birth certificate cites 1939 as his date of birth. He was laid to rest in his home town. Raz studied at a primary school in Bannu where his father, Malak Amanullah Khan, a police officer, was stationed. He completed his matriculation at a school in Peshawar, as his father had been transferred there. A young Raz later enrolled at Islamia College Peshawar and then migrated to Government College Dera Ismail Khan for his degree.

A promising student, Raz regularly participated in poetry recitations, sports and debates.

In 1970, he entered politics joining the National Awami Party in Karachi. Early on, he developed close ties with the leading politicians of both West and East Pakistan who gathered at the residence of Mehmood-ul Haq-Usmani.

The same year, Raz introduced the agendum of the Communist Party of Pakistan. A committed activist, he always raised his voice for democracy, human rights, justice, meritocracy and the revival of progressivism. Following advice from then chairman of the NAP, Abdul Wali Khan, he took a stand for the rights of Pashtun labourers. He founded the Pashtun United Front in Karachi in collaboration with some like-minded comrades.

Being a staunch believer in democracy, Salim Raz advocated the revival of a democratic culture. “The existence of such a system is not only required for politics, but both social life and social evolution need it”. He argued that democracy guarantees freedom of speech and religion and allows for humanistic values to dominate. He would often lament the growing radicalism, extremism and terrorist activities in the country. He believed that the colonial mindset was responsible for the menace that had brought the whole world to the brink of destruction.

In a literary career spanning over several decades he composed verses celebrating resistance, agitation and progressive values. Da Zakhmunu Sparlai (The Spring of Wounds), his first collection was printed in Afghanistan in 1989. In 2008, a second collection of his poetry by the name Za Lamha Lamha Qatlegam, (I am being killed from moment to moment) was published.

A committed activist, he always raised his voice for democracy, human rights, justice, meritocracy and the revival of progressivism.

Adabi karshay, (Literary lines), one of Raz’s finest critical writings, was awarded by Academy Adbiyat Pakistan in 1999. A study of Rehman Baba’s works is another of his distinguished critical writings. Amongst his outstanding contributions are several pieces of Pashto poetry, short stories and travelogues.

Raz wrote the preface of countless books of poetry and prose and attended many literary events.

Salim Raz’s journalistic career began in late 1960. As a freelance journalist, he wrote for several Urdu and Pashto publications. As a student at Dera Ismail Khan University, he had insisted on including a Pashto section in University’s magazine named, Gomal, and served as its editor.

In the mid-1970s, Raz began writing for the weekly Kohssar and then for the monthly Adal when he shifted to Karachi. Upon his return to Peshawar in the early 1980s, he wrote for Shahabaz for years and later joined the daily Haqiqat, Peshawar. As a freelance contributor, Raz continued writing Urdu columns for several years.

He hardly ever missed a literary conference or festival. He organized two successful World Pashto Conferences in 1987 and 2000 in Peshawar. Baba-i-Ghazal Amir Hamza Shinwari inaugurated the first. The chief guest was Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. Many key Pashto scholars, poets and writers from all over the world attended these conferences. Salim Raz was unanimously elected the central president of the Pakistan Progressive Writers’ Association after holding a global Pashto Convention in Karachi.

His literary and journalistic work earned him many accolades and awards. In 2009, he was awarded the Pride of Performance in recognition of his literary services.

Salim Raz’s innumerable contributions to Pashto and Urdu literature will be hailed for years to come.

The writer is a lecturer at Government Degree College Zhob and a freelance columnist. He can be reached at hussainhunarmal@gmail.com