PESHAWAR: Speakers at a ceremony here on Monday paid tribute to the literary services of Master Bashir Ahmad and termed him the true face of Peshawar.

The ceremony was held at Khatir Ghaznavi auditorium adjacent to Nishtar Hall under the auspices of Peshawar chapter of Abasin Arts Council (AAC).

The ceremony was meant to eulogise the services of Master Bashir Ahmad, who passed away on February 6 at 81, and noted actor Rashid Naaz, who died on January 16 at 73.

The speakers shed light on various aspects of Master Bashir Ahmad and said that he loved social and literary gatherings. They said that he would deliver invitation cards of any event irrespective of his personal relation to make it happen and wanted peace and harmony among the residents of the city.

Speakers pay tributes to Master Bashir Ahmad and Rashid Naaz

They said that both Master Bashir Ahmad and Rashid Naaz were the true faces of Peshawar as they dedicated their lives for promotion of art and culture. Both were great in their own respects and their services would be praised and kept in high esteem, they said.

“Master Bashir Ahmad sometimes used to write about literary events on his own sweet will in Hindko and Urdu that used to be published in literary magazines. He had a reputation for preserving copies of literary journals. He had well-preserved copies of Aahang a magazine of Radio Pakistan since its first publication in 1948,” said speakers.

Prof Nasir Ali Syed said on the occasion that Master Bashir Ahmad was a Sufi saint having several fads and always remained down to earth and ready to extend help to needy around him. He said that he lived many lives as he was a literary and cultural activist, a compiler and organiser of social gatherings.

“His association with Radio Pakistan Peshawar and literary figures like Prof Mohsin Ehsan, Ahmad Faraz, Farigh Bukhari and many others was remarkable. Late Zahoor Ahmad had made him a pet character of his Urdu columns and even used to call him his mentor. Master Bashir Ahmad was a round character of many virtues,” said Prof Nasir.

Noted artist and chief of Abasin Arts Council Abdur Rauf Rohila, who chaired the event, said that Master Bashir Ahmad was an unpresuming personality, who claimed no special distinction for himself. He said that Master Bashir Ahmad was a role model and his services for promotion of art and culture should be remembered with great reverence.

Senior artist Jahanzeb Malik, Raj Mohammad Afridi,Tasnim Shahzad, Umar Qureshi, Waqar Awan and Iffat Siddiqui also spoke on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, February 8th, 2022