Death of an activist: The courage survives and so does the message

Posted on February 4, 2016 by beenasarwar
pia-afp

Rangers personnel baton charge on PIA employees near Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, February 2, 2016. PHOTO: AFP

Three Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees protesting against the privatisation of the national carrier have died as the Singh Rangers countered their peaceful demonstration with water cannons, tear gas, baton charge, and bullets. The victims include PIA Assistant Manager Inayat Raza and engineer Saleem Akbar while a third victim, Zubair, succumbed to his wounds in hospital yesterday. The knee-jerk response of the administration to citizens exercising their right of peaceful assembly and protest is not new, and it has always backfired.

Instead of condoling with the families of those killed, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif (who is believed to have a vested interest in privatising the airline), has suspended the PIA employees’ right to protest under the Essential Services Act, and threatened the them with loss of job and incarceration.

Killed by a bullet to the chest, Inayat Raza was a former student union leader with the National Students’ Federation (NSF) in Karachi in the 1980s. He is survived by his wife and three daughters. Below, a moving tribute to him by activist and researcher Mansoor Raza in Karachi:

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Commemorating Jan 8, 1953: 2013 events, Jan 6 and 8, by DSF and NSF

Posted on January 3, 2013 by beenasarwar

2012 Jan 8-NSF Demands Day

Re-blogged from Dr M. Sarwar:

As we remember Jan 8, 1953 Demands Day and those who gave their lives for the cause of students’ rights, it is good to see that progressive young people in Pakistan are organising and work for students’ rights, with the revival of Democratic Students Federation and the National Students Federation. In keeping with the rallying cry of the original movement – ‘Student Unity’ – activists of DSF and NSF must put up a united front, and attend and support each others’ events even if they don’t merge into one organisation. Demands should include lifting the ongoing ban on student unions. Below, information about several events being organised this year, some on Jan 6, in different cities of Sindh and Punjab by DSF, and NSF event on Jan 8:

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‘Looking back to look forward’ – amazing response to an uplifting event

Posted on January 11, 2010 by beenasarwar

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 →

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Dr Sarwar Reference, Aug 8, Lahore

Posted on July 23, 2009 by beenasarwar

Final-Dr Sarwar reference-flyerYour 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

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