Dr Ghalib Lodhi (left) with Dr M. Sarwar, London, 2001.
Karachi, Aug 3, 2012: Tahir Wasti in London emailed recently that Dr Ghalib Lodhi expired in Karachi. I contacted some of Dr Ghalib’s old comrades. None of them had heard of his demise…
Former DSF activist Dr Ghalib Lodhi makes a quiet exit.
Filed under: Dr M Sarwar, Progressive politics | Tagged: Dr Ghalib Lodhi, Dr M Sarwar, DSF, Pakistan, Yusuf Ali | Leave a comment »
Education is a right… Not privilege – DSF Pakhtunkhwa Students Convention, April 29, 2012, Peshawar
DSF Convention, Peshawar, April 29, 2012.
Filed under: Student politics | Tagged: DSF, Pakistan, Student politics | Leave a comment »
Sadiqa Waheeduddin, looking at a newspaper report about the DSF event held in Karachi Jan 2010
Sadiqa Waheeduddin, passed away peacefully in Karachi this morning. She was the eldest sister of late Dr M. Sarwar and widow of late Dr Waheeduddin who was a great supporter of progressive politics, mother of Dr Irshad Waheed, Dr Iqbal Waheed, Naseem (‘Geti’), Shireen, and Islam Waheed.
As high school students at the time, Iqbal and Geti also participated in DSF processions. Many political meetings, including DSF, were held at their house in Guru Mandir. As my mamoo, the journalist Zawwar Hasan used to say, she was ‘Jagat Apa’ to many of Akhtar and Sarwar’s friends. Continue reading
Filed under: Progressive politics | Tagged: Allahabad, Dr Waheed, DSF, history, Indira Gandhi, Iqbal Waheed, Katra, Lawyers movement, Pakistan, sadiqa waheeduddin, Saeeda Gazdar, Shahida Haroon Saad | 7 Comments »
Ok, I finally uploaded the 30 min film on Democratic Students’ Association to the web Aur Nikle.nge Ushhaq ke Qafley (There Will be More Caravans of Passion…) that I produced, directed by Sharjil Baloch. It’s on Youtube (Part 1 and Part 2) as well as on the Dr Sarwar blog.
Filed under: Dr M Sarwar | Tagged: documentary, Dr Sarwar, DSF, Pakistan, Sharjil Baloch, Student politics, video | 1 Comment »
Dr Ayub Mirza (right) at a PMA meeting in Pindi
Dr Ayub Mirza, a figure of the 1950s’ student movement and DSF, a life long friend of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and author of Faiz’s biography ‘Hum Keh Thehray Ajnabi’ Dr Ayub Mirza has been seriously ill in Glasgow where he lives. Good news from Eric Rahim: “Ayub is feeling much better. Initially he was in intensive care; three days back he was transferred to coronary care. Last night’s report is that he was feeling better, had had a meal and was sitting in chair. I am hoping to see him this evening and will write.”
Filed under: Dr M Sarwar | Tagged: Dr Ayub Mirza, DSF, Eric Rahim, Faiz Ahmed Faiz | 5 Comments »
Slightly revised version of what was originally posted to the Dr Sarwar blog earlier – more photos at this web album:
Rahat Kazmi introducing speakers - photo by Aliya Nisar
What an amazing response to ‘Looking Back to Look Forward – Celebrating the 1953 Student Movement’. (‘…we look back not to revel in nostalgia, WE LOOK BACK TO LOOK FORWARD,’ said veteran journalist Eric Rahim in an email while we were conceptualising the event).
We didn’t think we’d be able to fill the 1000-seater hall. Everyone said “be happy if 500 people turn up”. The hall was FULL, thanks to the energy and enthusiasm of the volunteers and participants – students and youngsters from Sindh Awami Sangat (huge team of volunteers and a crowded bus-load of participants), Szabist University, Ziauddin Medical College, PECHS Girls’ School (thanks to Seema Malik, 150 students who formed the heart of the audience and kept up the tempo with their youthful energy), and other groups.
Naushaba Zuberi slams the A.T.Naqvi Tower and demands one for the Jan 1953 martyrs. Photo by Sakhawat Ali
View of the audience with PECHS Girls School students - photo Aliya Nisar
“It’s not just the event, it’s the timing of the event that’s important,” said Hiba Ali Raza, one of the student volunteers. “At a time when things look so bleak, and people are so depressed, this was very significant”.
Many had come expecting the usual 200-300 crowd of old lefties with a sprinkling of the young ones. Instead, we had a hall full of young people, boys and girls, students and young professionals who listened attentively to the speakers – Continue reading
Filed under: Progressive politics | Tagged: 1950s student movement, Ali Cheema, Alia Amirali, Amar Sindhu, Dr Adib Rizvi, DSF, Fehmida Riaz, I.A. Rehman, NSF, PECHS Girls' School, PMC, Rahat Kazmi, Seema Q Jaffar, Shabnam Abdullah, Sharjil Baloch, Sindh Awami Sangat, SIUT, Szabist University, Tina Sani, Varda Nisar, Ziauddin Medical College | Leave a comment »
Here is an interesting story from the 1953 student movement, about how they contacted colleagues and supporters in other parts of the country in an age when communication was far slower and more expensive than it is now. Continue reading
Filed under: Student politics | Tagged: 1950s student movement, all pakistan students convention, Dr M Sarwar, DSF, ICB, katrak hall | Leave a comment »
Press Release
Reference for pioneering student leader Dr Sarwar
For favour of publication
Lahore August 6: A Reference for the pioneering student leader Dr. Muhammad Sarwar will be held here at HRCP’s Dorab Patel Auditorium on Saturday August 8 at 5 p.m.
Dr. Muhammad Sarwar was amongst founding leaders of the Democratic Students Federation (DSF) and the All Pakistan Students Organisation (APSO). He was also instrumental in the formation of Inter-Collegiate Body of Karachi (ICB) which along with DSF spearheaded the students struggle for the acceptance of students charter of demands in 1953.
Twice elected to the office of General Secretary (national), Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) that continues to play a leading role in the affairs of medical profession, Dr. Muhammad Sarwar was amongst those who had formulated a people-friendly health policy. It was unfortunate that the policy, duly presented to the concerned quarters by the PMA, remains unimplemented.
Born at Allahabad, Dr. Sarwar came to Pakistan in 1948 and joined Dow Medical College,Karachi. After graduation he practiced for over forty (40) years at his clinic in the lower middle class locality, Golimar,
Coinciding with his Birthday, the Reference for Dr.Muhammmad Sarwar, will be addressed by Mr. Hameed Akhtar; Mr.I.A. Rehman;Mr. Abid Hasan Minto;Dr. Haroon Ahmad, Dr. M. Ilyas, Prof. Afzal Tauseef, Ms. Salima Hashmi; Dr.Izhar Chaudhry General Secretary PMA,Punjab, Mr.Farooq Tariq LPP leader,Mr.S.M. Naseem former editor “Students’ Herald”, Zaman Khan, Ammar Ali Jan, Dr. Farrukh Gulzar and Zakia Sarwar.
The Reference will be followed by tea. Later, participants may join discussion to be facilitated by Mr. S.M. Naseem, Beena Sarwar and Ali Cheema.
Issued on behalf of: Friends and Admirers of Dr. Muhammad Sarwar
By (Husain Naqi)
NOTE: MR MINHAJ BARNA AND DR ENVER SAJJAD ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO ARRIVE IN LAHORE FOR THE REFERENCE
Filed under: Dr M Sarwar | Tagged: Abid Hasan Minto, Ali Cheema, Ammar Ali Jan, APSO, Beena Sarwar, democracy, Dr Farrukh Gulzar, Dr Izhar Choudhry, Dr M. Ilyas, Dr Sarwar, DSF, Farooq Tariq, Hameed Akhtar, HRCP, Husain Naqi, I.A. Rehman, ICB, January movement, LPP, PMA, S. M. Naseem, salima hashmi, student movement, Students Herald, Zaman Khan | Leave a comment »
Your presence is cordially requested at a
REFERENCE IN BELOVED MEMORY OF
DR. M. SARWAR (1930-2009)
Founding member, former President
Democratic Students Federation (DSF);
Former Secretary General (Central)
Pakistan Medical Association (PMA)
Related articles and photos at: www.drsarwar.wordpress.com
Saturday, August 8, 2009
5:00-8:00 PM
Programme:
5.00-6.00 pm: Formal Reference
moderated by Hussain Naqi, former General Secretary NSF & President Karachi University Student Union
Speakers:
Hameed Akhtar, writer; Abid Hasan Minto, advocate; Prof. Afzal Tauseef, writer;
I.A. Rehman, Secretary General HRCP; Zaman Khan, activist; Farooq Tariq, Labour Party leader; Salima Hashmi, artist; S.M. Naseem, former editor ‘Students Herald’;
Dr Haroon Ahmed + Dr M. Ilyas, former PMA office bearers; Dr. Izhar Chaudhry, Secretary General PMA Punjab; Ammar Ali Jan, activist; Dr Farrukh Gulzar, follower; and Dr Sarwar’s wife Zakia Sarwar, educationist
6.00-6.30 pm: Tea
6.30-8.00 pm: Discussion, deliberations and other offerings
Facilitated by S.M. Naseem, Beena Sarwar, and Ali Cheema
Venue: Dorab Patel Auditorium
Aiwan-I-Jamjoor, 107-Tipu Block New Garden Town, Lahore – 54600
Tel:(92) (042) 5838341-5864994-5865969
Web site: www.hrcp-web.org
Email: hrcp@hrcp-web.org
PUNCTUALITY IS REQUESTED – we aim to start on time
Organised by friends and admirers of Dr M. Sarwar and his legacy
For more information, please contact Dr M. Farrukh Gulzar 03004818390
Filed under: Dr M Sarwar | Tagged: Abid Hasan Minto, Afzal Tauseef, Ali Cheema, Ammar Ali Jan, Dorab Patel Auditorium, Dr Haroon Ahmed, Dr Izhar Choudhry, Dr M. Ilyas, DSF, Farooq Tariq, Farrukh Gulzar, Hameed Akhtar, Hussain Naqi, I.A. Rehman, Labour Party Pakistan, NSF, PMA, S. M. Naseem, salima hashmi, Students Herald, Zakia Sarwar, Zaman Khan | Leave a comment »
Sarwar, Jan 2007. Photo: Anwar Sen Roy
He passed on peacefully in his sleep with his characteristic calm and dignity, shortly after we said goodnight… Here is the note we sent to the press that day (forgot to mention his role in the Medical Gazette, one of the founding members of a publication that provided a platform for progressive political views in dark times):
KARACHI, May 26: One of Karachi’s oldest general practitioners, well known physician and former student leader Dr Mohammad Sarwar passed away peacefully in his sleep at home early this morning, May 26 in Karachi, after a prolonged bout with cancer. He was 79.
A memorial meeting is scheduled at PMA House on Sunday, May 31 at 6.30 pm.
Dr Sarwar, Karachi, 2004
Born in Allahabad, he came to Karachi for ‘sightseeing’ in 1948 and stayed on when he got admission in Dow Medical College. He was instrumental in forming Pakistan’s first student union, the Democratic Students Federation (DSF). He served as DSF’s President and Secretary General before the Mohammad Ali Bogra government banned it in 1954. He was also the driving force behind the Inter-Collegiate Body (ICB) comprising student unions in different colleges and the All Pakistan Students Organisation (APSO), established in 1953.
Sarwar spearheaded the January 8, 1953 ‘Demands Day’ that spelled out the needs of students, including the establishment of a full-fledged university campus (now Karachi University). He tried to prevent the students from surging forward in the face of the police threat when the procession reached Saddar. Sarwar was injured in the police firing that killed seven students that day, commemorated for years as a ‘Black Day’.
APSO brought together college students from all over the country to demand students’ rights regardless of their politics or ideology. The organisation’s influence was visible in the 1954 elections in former East Pakistan when a student leader defeated seasoned politician Noor-ul-Amin.
DSF also published the fortnightly award-winning journal Students’ Herald, edited by the well-known economist S.M. Naseem, then a student activist.
Dr Sarwar received his final medical college results in 1954 while he was in prison for a year — the McCarthy era in the United States impacted Pakistan as well and progressive elements here were rounded up and incarcerated. His elder brother, journalist Mohammad Akhtar (1926-58) was arrested shortly afterwards. Fakhruddin G. Ebrahim, then an upcoming lawyer, defended many of these political prisoners, including their friend Hasan Nasir who was tortured to death later.
After graduation, Dr Sarwar worked as a general physician with various health services until setting up his own clinic in Gulbahar (New Golimar) where he practiced for over forty years. He was also one of the pioneers of the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) where he was twice elected general secretary. PMA played a vital role in progressive politics during the 1980s. During the Zia years, the PMA was one of the important ‘civil society’ organisations that consistently stood for democratic politics.
Dr Sarwar will be remembered for his inspirational leadership, generosity of spirit, warmth of character and clear-headed political vision.
He is survived by his wife, well known educationist and teacher trainer Zakia Sarwar, and three children, Beena Sarwar, Sehba Sarwar, and Salman Sarwar and three granddaughters, Maha, Myah and Minal.
Some news reports:
In memory of Dr Mohammad Sarwar, 
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
By Shahid Husain – http://tinyurl.com/sarwar-news
By Ahmed Reza, BBC Urdu, 26 may, 2009 – http://tinyurl.com/sarwar-bbc
Student politics pioneer Dr M Sarwar passes on, Dawn, Tuesday, 26 May, 2009 – http://tinyurl.com/sarwar-dawn
In memory of Dr Mohammad Sarwar 
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
By Shahid Husain
http://tinyurl.com/sarwar-news
Ahmed Reza, BBC Urdu, 26 may, 2009
Thanks for your message. We’re grateful he passed on peacefully in his sleep with his characteristic calm and dignity, shortly after we said goodnight…
Here’s a link to a news report about him
Student politics pioneer Dr M Sarwar passes on, Tuesday, 26 May, 2009
Filed under: Student politics | Tagged: democracy, Dr Sarwar, DSF, Gen. Zia, martial law, Pakistan, Pakistan Medical Gazette, PMA, Politics, student movement | Leave a comment »
Journeys to democracy 