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ISLAMABAD, Jan 27 (APP):The Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) commemorated the 81st birth anniversary of renowned scholar, poet and archivist late Ahmed Salim, who had devoted his life to literary writings, archives, democratic values and intellectual resistance.
In his keynote address, former Senator Farhatullah Babar said Ahmed Salim is a national asset, who authored over 150 books and generously shared knowledge, said a press release issued on Tuesday.
He recalled Salim’s association with the Communist Party, his detentions, and his role in reviewing the Pakistan People’s Party’s 2018 manifesto from a human rights and sustainable development perspective. Babar said Salim’s work on Partition highlighted inter-communal solidarity often missing from official narratives and called for revisiting the history of progressive movements in Pakistan. He appreciated SDPI’s initiative to digitize Salim’s archives for public access.
SDPI Executive Director Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri said Ahmed Salim shared a close association with SDPI, which had established a dedicated Ahmed Salim Research Room at the Institute in his honour. He said Ahmed Salim consistently advocated sustainable development, freedom of expression, access to information, social liberty and freedom of thought.
Ahmed Salim’s major contribution included the establishment of South Asian Research and Resource Centre, Dr Suleri said, adding that SDPI had resolved to digitize his vast archives to make them accessible to future generations.
A special documentary, Khali Kursi (Empty Chair), was also screened as a tribute.
Poet and literary critic Munir Fiaz described Ahmed Salim as a personality of great depth and multiple dimensions. He said Salim’s Punjabi poetry reflected a rebellious and revolutionary spirit, marked by command over surrealistic techniques, while his poetry challenged the conventional structure of Punjabi literary expression through a distinct diction and form.
Dr Manzoor Veesrio of the National Institute of Pakistan Studies recalled Salim as a regular participant in the Indus Cultural Festival and a humble, saintly individual with a multidimensional personality as a writer, poet, journalist and philosopher. He said Salim’s writings on democracy, human rights and politics highlighted restrictions under dictatorial regimes. Despite his deep love for Sindh, Dr Veesrio added, Salim proudly identified himself as a Punjabi poet.
SDPI Deputy Executive Director Dr Shafqat Munir highlighted Salim’s research-oriented approach, his work on labour rights, women’s rights and countering extremism through literature. He recalled Salim’s field research with coal mine workers and his proposals on inclusive education, adding that Salim was widely respected across borders.
Panah Baloch said Ahmed Salim maintained a strong emotional and intellectual connection with Balochistan. He noted that Salim’s poetry incorporated Baloch symbols into Punjabi folk traditions and addressed historical perspectives, including Balochistan’s political marginalization, while he remained actively engaged in literary events in the province.
Amna Rehman, Ahmed Salim’s granddaughter, described him as an affectionate and kind-hearted mentor, said my grandfather passed away while immersed in reading and writing.
UK-based Punjabi poet and writer Nuzhat Abbas, paying tributes to Ahmed Salim services to progressive literature, highlighted his inspiration from Faiz Ahmed Faiz and noted that the South Asian Research and Resource Centre housed over 50,000 books and rare literary collections.
Progressive writer Imdad Akash said Ahmed Salim’s literature carried an inherent political consciousness and that his works transformed the lived realities of society. He recalled Salim’s role in forming the Afro-Asian Writers’ Forum and organizing its major conference.
Others who paid tributes to Ahmed Salim and eulogized his literary contributions included Mazhar Arif, Dr Sadia Kamal and Prof Saeed, who describing him as a towering literary figure and an “encyclopedia of humanity”.
The event concluded with Dr Humera Ashfaq presenting a souvenir to Dr Abid Qaiyum Suleri and guests followed by cake cutting, while participants noted that such forums provided space for reflection and dialogue on critical intellectual and social issues.