Journeys to democracy

Prof. M. Nauman

The cause of progressive politics in Pakistan suffered two major losses over the past week, with the passing away of veteran journalist M.B. Naqvi, 81, on November 7th, and Prof. M. Nauman, 58, on Nov 15th.

M.B.Naqvi

I know they would both have been present at the event planned for Jan 9-10 in Karachi to honour and take forward the legacy of the 1950’s student movement – and they remain with us in spirit and through their ideas, work and commitment. See the Dr Sarwar blog for more on both.

Three-year old Diya with mother Shaheen and father Pervez's photo (courtesy Fauzia Minallah)

Honour Pervez Masih: a janitor at the International Islamic University, killed when he stopped a suicide attacker (reportedly in women’s clothes) from entering the cafeteria for female students on Nov 16th. His heroic stand saved the lives of more than 300 students. Many to remember him as a hero — but his mother told a CNN reporter, `My hero is dead’. 

According to the CNN report `Christian janitor died saving Muslim students’ (predictably focused on the religious aspect) his family had to borrow money for his funeral and were behind on paying their rent. However, the IIU administration has reportedly helped the family with Rs. 10.000 for the burial costs, employed his widow Shaheen as a sanitory worker and promised to help with his three-year-old daughter Diya’s education. Maham Ali, a student of Behria University, collected Rs. 52,500 for Pervez Masih’s family, and bought toys and clothes for Diya. See ‘Diya – a hero’s daughter‘ by Fauzia Minallah

Filed under: Pakistan | Tagged: Fauzia Minallah, Islamic University blast, M B Naqvi, Pervez Masih, Prof Nauman |