I was awarded the Rahman Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 on Friday, April 11. It is a pleasure that the children’s children have kept the memory of the award through this award. The award ceremony was held at the Arts Council of Karachi.
Where the Ahsan and my friends attended. I could not attend the ceremony myself due to poor health, but my message was conveyed to my elder daughter Finana and received the award from me. In my audio message, I mentioned the courage, perseverance and ideological commitment to the dictatorship and against the state oppression. If I was present at the ceremony, I would say a lot about my friend and co -op Rafiq because this award is a tribute to not just one person but a theory.
My daughter mentioned my courage and truth. The fact is that because of my ideas, I chose a difficult life that my children spent with me, which was not easy. My children are proud of me and I am happy that they spent the hard time they have seen because of my principles.
I and I was a friend of the days of poverty. Like friends, friends are very difficult. Ahsat always wrote the truth and wrote for the deprived class. They were fearless and in the path they chose, Mahanaz supported him. Never be afraid or stop, they wrote the truth that is bitter and people are not digested. The less delicate to their friendship is less, they were among the colleagues who encourage and stand together in the hardest time.
Both of us started journalism at a time when every word had to be written and speaking of truth was equivalent to disbelief, but Ahsan never compromised. He believed in the power of the pen. Whether General Zia -ul -Haq’s dictatorship or subsequent semi -democratic periods, he always stood with principles. I also spent the days with them when they were restricted, when their job was taken away, when they had to go to court. I also saw their resolve, which never came to fruition. He used to write, speak, protest. There was a burning in his writing. Like a burning coin. We considered journalism a mission. Our writings were a mirror of truth.
I remember when he worked in journalists’ organizations when he became the dynamic leader of the Karachi Union of Journalists. When he raised his voice for the rights of media workers. He was never back back.
On this occasion, I also want to remember all the journalists who have left us with us, some are still fighting. We have to continue this fight. Today, it is even more needed. There is still a lot of work to do. There are true and fearless journalists like Ahsan who balance society. The vacuum created by their departure is a great loss to all of us. The courage and bravery that fought the truth with his pen was his perfection.
Renowned scholar Dr. Riaz Sheikh gave a deep speech against New Liberalism. He began his thoughts with the poem “Open our handcuffs” and then described the historical context of the intellectual tradition of freedom. He cited thinkers like Burmese Rosso John Lock and Walter, how the ideas of human freedom were crushing the neoliberal capitalist system.
Dr. Riaz said that after 1990, when the Soviet Union dissolved and global capitalism took a new aggressive form, New Liberalism began to control not only the economy but also awareness. He explained how the media and educational institutions are in the throes of government and corporate interests today.
At the ceremony, Dr. Jafar Ahmed, a writer and researcher, presented the essay of renowned progressive writer Shane Farrukh, which he penned in memory of al -Rahman. In this article, Ahsan was remembered as a character that became a metaphor for journalistic honesty and resistance in his life.
During the ceremony, Sanobar Nazar presented three symbolic dances, including Ahsat -ur -Rehman’s poem and Rabindranath Tagore’s famous poem Akla Chloe.
Cash prizes were given and encouraged students of the Karachi University of Public Communication Department. The students and students of the media department also took oath of journalism.
At the end, the speakers emphasized that the freedom of expression in Pakistan was not as pressure and danger as it is today. At this time, not only is the freedom to speak and think, but also organized efforts to overcome consciousness. In such a case, progressive forces have a duty to continue the resistance but also strengthen it.
I will continue to write the truth till my last breath and continue the path I have chosen years ago, this is my pledge to myself which will continue till my last breath.
