Tariq Aziz: Icon of modern Urdu literature

By Aleena Arshad
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

Quite a few luminaries have arrived on the horizon of Urdu literature, dominated the scene in their lifetime and left a lasting legacy. Ahmed Nadeem Qasmi, John Eliya, Allama Iqbal and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan are among those larger than life personalities about whom we talk about or discuss their works almost every other day. 

But after the creation of Pakistan the man who has been most talked about and whose voice and charisma have impacted generations the most is none than the legendary Tariq Aziz. He mesmerized the masses with his sheer brilliance and elegance. He was an asset to Urdu literature. A true genius with a multi-faceted personality. 

His selection of words and his ability to win hearts with his inimitable style earned him incredible fame in a professional career spanning well over half a century. He was not only proficient in promoting the sales of company products with his trademark commercials but he also took pride in lending his voice to various poets in order to boost them. 

Tariq Aziz is one man who was read, listened, watched, viewed and followed with passion and enthusiasm by people of all age groups and genders. His command over the language of Urdu and his uniquely distinct voice made him extremely popular in every nook and corner of the country. There was hardly any aspect of Urdu literature with which he didn’t remain associated. He’s credited to have immortalized the opening and closing of television shows. 

Tariq Aziz was born in Jalandhar but his family crossed the border and migrated to Sahiwal soon after the creation of Pakistan. After acquiring early education in Sahiwal, he commenced his professional career from Radio Pakistan. 

When Pakistan Television came into being in November 1964, he became its first male newscaster. He had the honour of making the first-ever announcement on PTV. He became a household with the television show ‘Neelam Ghar’ which shattered all records of popularity and longevity. His name was thought to be synonymous with Neelam Ghar and PTV. The powerful ending of every Neelam Ghar show with the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad warmed the hearts of millions of people. 

Bazm-e-Tariq Aziz show also turned out to be a blockbuster. It was the most sought after television programme of its time and people adjusted their daily routine accordingly to be able to watch it. Many television shows have come on air since then but the credit for pioneering it went to none other than Tariq Aziz. 

If we talk about acting, he also showcased his talents in this field, albeit with moderate success. He worked with the likes of Waheed Murad, Zeba and Shamim Ara, the top stars of that era, and many of his movies became hits. 

Turning to politics, he had contested the general elections on the ticket of PML-N in 1997 and won his seat for National Assembly. But he didn’t stay for long in the political arena and devoted his energies into scholastic activities, authoring books like Hamzad Da Dukh and Iqbal Ki Pehchan. 

Although age was beginning to take its toll in the later stages of career, he had lost none of his passion or zeal in doing the television shows as he enlightened the audience by reciting top-class poetry in his own unique style. 

I have fond memories of my meeting with the legend in 2017. It was a memorable two-hour session in which we talked at length about his illustrious career. It was the time when many leading television channels were eager to have Tariq Aziz but he had continued to regret politely by declaring that he had nothing more to declare with people as they already knew about him. 

When I was leaving him, after completing the interview, he passed on an advice to me which still hangs fresh in my memory. He advised me to continue serving the cause of Urdu literature with missionary zeal when he learnt about my interests. 

Tariq Aziz and his family had deep and immense love with Pakistan. In 2009 he had tweeted that, as he was not blessed with any child, all his assets would be at the disposal of the government upon his death. He lived for Pakistan and he died for Pakistan. He has left the mortal world on June 17, 2020 but he will always remain alive because of his accomplishments and deeds.

COVID-19 denies lifetime moments for graduating students

By Masood Sattar Khan
(Pakistan News & Features Services) 

Every student entering a university has many ambitions. The most important thing at the back of most of the students mind at the time of graduation is to get a job opportunity for bright future while quite a few of them plan for higher degrees.

The graduation ceremony is one of the lifetime moments for the students as well as parents in every part of the world. It’s an occasion to celebrate and cherish.

Being fortunate enough to attend the graduation ceremony of my son at the Communications University of China in Beijing a couple of years, I have had fond memories of this event. 

The students and parents had converged from different parts of the world and they were extremely happy to be out there for sharing their dream moments. 

Attired in the graceful graduation dress, the students were engaged in exchanging pleasantries with their classmates with whom they had spent four years. It was a gala show. Like me, there were parents from many other countries present there to witness and cheer the passing out parade. 

COVID-19, however, has totally changed the scenario. No graduation ceremony, no celebrations, no goodbye, no wish for good luck, no prayers in person for bright future anymore. Most of the universities have now started doing the graduation ceremony online. 

“The students were denied the privilege of receiving tips first-hand about what should they be doing when entering their first workplace,” a recently passed out foreign student from a Chinese University responded when contacted by PNFS. 

“Compared with the previous years, this year's graduation season has been particularly hasty. The graduating students and their parents haven’t had the opportunity of gathering at one place to celebrate the very big moment of their lives,” he narrated. 

“We miss not having had time to say goodbye to our classmates. We couldn’t click a graduation photo despite having the latest of digital cameras in our smartphones,” he regretted. 

“We couldn’t even bid farewell to the campus where we spent four golden years of with our classmates, teachers and even with hostel staff, who were always forthwith to help us,” he added.

 He concluded with a wish that let the new entering students enjoy the ceremony which they missed because of pandemic.

Coronavirus Update: Sindh records single-day highest death

By Mukhtar Alam
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

While its daily COVID-19 infection rates appeared almost stable for last a week, Sindh confirmed its single-day highest of 48 deaths, among the patients infected with the virus on June 18, pushing the provincial fatality tally to 964. 

According to data provided by the Sindh health department, the previous highest one-day new infections was recorded as 21.38% on June 12, which dipped to 19.35% on June 16 but rose again to 20.69% on June 18.

The province had a total 776 deaths till June 11, which climbed to 853 on June 15, 916 on June 17 and 964 on June 18. 

On an average 27 patients died every day during June 12 to 18. Sindh’s overall fatality rate came as 1.54% on June 18, against the national CFR 1.93%, while its overall infection moved to 18.28% as against Pakistan’s 16% since the outbreak of COVID-19 in the country. 

As per the health department daily summary, with 24,981 infection cases, Karachi reported, as usual, the maximum fatalities of 44 persons, including 31 men and 13 women, on June 18, followed by Sukkur (2), Larkana (1) and Kambar Shahdadkot (1). 

At Karachi, male patients who lost their lives, understandably at hospitals and homes, were living within the age brackets of 44 to 85 years while the deceased women were aged from 48 to 84 years. 

Sukkur recorded deaths of two more women, who were 58 and 68-year-old respectively while Larkana and Kambar Shahdadkot registered death of one woman each. They were 85 and 61-year-old respectively.

The Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah, in his statement updating on coronavirus situation, said that the relevant deaths of citizens had highly pained him. 

“May Allah Almighty grant patience to the aggrieved families,” he prayed. 

He further said that there were 30,271 COVID-19 patients receiving treatment across the Sindh, including 28,705 isolated at homes, 64 in the designated isolation centres and 1,502 at hospitals. As many as 664 patients, including 97 on ventilators, were stated to be in critical condition. 

As many as 1,719 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Karachi during the last 24 hours ending at 9 am on June 18, followed by Hyderabad (109), Sukkur (76), Khairpur (70), Ghotki (64), Shaheed Benazirabad (59), Larkana (30), Kashmore (30), Jamshoro (26), Dadu (22), Mirpurkhas (19), Jacobabad (14), Kambar Shadadkot (10), Shikarpur (8), Tando Allahyar (7), Naushero Feroze (5), Thatta (4), Sujawal (2), Sanghar (2), Tando Mohammad Khan (1), Matiari (1) and Badin (1). 

Sindh, weathering the storm of COVID-19, has tested 340,487 samples so far, it was revealed officially.

Adherence to new normal holds key to containing COVID-19

By Tanzeel Rauf Farooqui
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

When these lines are being written, as per official statistics of the Government of Pakistan, there are 160,118 confirmed cases of the coronavirus out (COVID-19) out of which 97,810 cases are still active. Unfortunately, we have already lost 3,093 lives to this novel virus and the death toll continues increasing very rapidly now. 

These rising number of cases depict that Pakistan’s war with this virus is long from over, as almost on a daily basis, 5,000 plus cases are being recorded.

In these alarming times, all the citizens of Pakistan must adjust their lifestyles and step out of their comfort zones in order to combat this deadly virus. 

The World Health Organization (WHO), from time to time, has been advising the nations to observe social distancing and make use of the protective measures, which are not limited to wearing of face masks and the usage of sanitizers. 

This has become the definition of the new normal as, at the moment, there is no other way to contain this contagious virus and flatten the curve of the cases. 

It is rather unfortunate that we, the citizens in general in Pakistan, have not taken this virus seriously yet. As soon as the lockdown was eased by the government, we witnessed masses of the population flooding the markets and despite several requests by multiple governmental and social individuals, the use of face masks and observance of the principles of social distancing was hardly ever witnessed.

At this hour of war, we must forgo our interests for the greater good, for our elderly, for our weak, as they are the ones who are at the greatest of risk at the hands of this virus.

It is obviously impossible to stay inside at all times, but whenever stepping out, we must equip ourselves with the armor that is required to stop the further spreading of the coronavirus. 

As responsible citizens and for the sake of our elders, all of us must adhere to the measures laid out by the WHO in order to save ourselves and our loved ones. 

Almost every other day we come across the reports in media and the stories narrated by our friends and families of the difficulties that patients infected with the coronavirus go through, and for avoiding that, we must contain ourselves to our homes as much as possible. 

This is the new normal, the harsh and bitter truth, and we must realize this. Let’s obey social distancing, use face masks and sanitizers and hope for a better tomorrow but remember, hope alone is not enough, we must strive in the right direction for positive results.