KARACHI: Television actor, anchorperson and retired banker Raju Jamil, also the son of Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu’s secretary since 1961 Jamiluddin Aali, has been nominated as new president of the organisation.

This was announced by Raju Jamil and honorary secretary of the organisation Fatema Hassan on behalf of its former president Aftab Ahmed Khan in his presence at a press conference held at the organisation office on Wednesday evening.

On behalf of the former president who was in a wheelchair, Ms Hassan read out a statement explaining the reasons behind the unexpected press conference: “Zafar Iqbal [Ex-VC Federal Urdu University] and Javed Manzar [treasurer Anjuman] taking advantage of my illness wrote a fake letter that claimed that I had nominated Zafar Iqbal as president of the Anjuman in my place. When it was brought to my knowledge, I denied this at every forum and subsequently suspended Javed Manzar and demanded an explanation from Zafar Iqbal. But these two refused to back down and instead went to Sindh High Court where they obtained a stay order. I am grateful to God, that the conspiracy of these two men has failed, as on September 21, the SHC declaring the case ‘in violation of rules’ dismissed it.”

Appointment and suspension

She then announced on Mr Khan’s behalf reorganisation in the administrative setup of the organisation following the SHC decision. The first one pertained to the new president: “Since I am old and physically infirm and can no longer look after the affairs of the Anjuman, I am nominating Anjuman governing body member Zulqarnain Jamil [Raju Jamil’s real name] as the president in my place according to clause 9 of Anjuman’s constitution.”

This decision was to be endorsed by inviting all members of the governing body to a meeting on Oct 3, she said.

She also announced the suspension of Javed Manzar and “all those decisions taken by Javed Manzar and Zafar Iqbal that were against the interests of the Anjuman as invalid”.

Temporary position

After this announcement, Mr Jamil spoke at length of his association with the organisation through his father. “I have spent a lot of time with my father and through him I am aware of the history of the Anjuman and the many obstacles it has faced. My father is closely linked to the founding of the Federal Urdu University whose history also I am well aware of.”

About his new job, he said, he considered it to be an honorary position and would look after its administrative affairs since he had long experience in banking. “I worked for 42 years in the the banking sector and at all levels. I want to benefit the Anjuman with this experience.”

He added that elections would be held soon so that a president with proper credentials could run its affairs.

Responding to a query about future plans for Anjuman, he said annual literature awards along the lines of Booker Prize was something he had in mind for which he planned to get in touch with banks to sponsor such awards.

Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2015

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