KMC Organizes “Farzand-e-Karachi” Literary Event to Pay Tribute to Rais Amrohvi

By: Aziz Khatri

  Karachi: Under the patronage of Mayor Karachi Barrister Murtaza Wahab, a grand literary event titled “Farzand-e-Karachi” was held at the Khaliq Dina Hall, aiming to pay rich tribute to renowned poet, journalist, and columnist Rais Amrohvi on the occasion of his 37th death anniversary.

The event saw participation from a large number of the city’s prominent poets, writers, and intellectuals. The speakers shed light on Rais Amrohvi's personality and services, describing him as a visionary figure whose intellectual and literary contributions remain alive to this day. His thought-provoking writings still resonate in the contemporary era and continue to guide the younger generation.

Literary circles acknowledged that Rais Amrohvi was a unique blend of knowledge, thought, and literature, and his contributions are still discussed and celebrated in intellectual and literary gatherings. His scholarly stature is unforgettable, and KMC’s effort to honor such literary icons is highly commendable.

Speaking at the event, Mayor Murtaza Wahab said that organizing a program in memory of Rais Amrohvi is an honor for us. "We salute his services, for he was not just the pride of Karachi but a valuable national asset. Preserving his literary and intellectual legacy is our collective responsibility."

The mayor added that personalities like Rais Amrohvi are a treasure of this city, and it is essential to recognize their contributions. He extended heartfelt regards to Rais Amrohvi’s family and admirers. "Today, we remember a remarkable personality from Karachi who carved a distinct identity through his literary, intellectual, and journalistic excellence. His name is an important chapter in Pakistan's intellectual history."

Mayor Wahab also announced that historic buildings such as Khaliq Dina Hall, Frere Hall, and other locations have now been allocated for such literary, cultural, and intellectual events. He expressed the desire to host more events at these venues to help revive Karachi’s positive image and introduce the younger generation to its intellectual heritage.

Appealing to citizens and literary communities, he urged them to support KMC’s efforts to restore the city’s vibrance, recalling a time when Karachi was a hub of knowledge, literature, and culture. Regretting the current decline, he noted that today's youth struggles even to read Urdu properly, which is a serious concern. He emphasized the need for collective efforts to preserve literary heritage. "Such events not only promote intellectual awareness but also foster social consciousness," he remarked. Speaking to media representatives, Mayor Murtaza Wahab expressed concern over the BRT Green Line project and the deteriorated condition of M.A. Jinnah Road, stating: "The BRT Green Line was granted approval in 2017, and since then, the condition of M.A. Jinnah Road has only worsened." He said that the city administration has requested a meeting with BRT authorities to seek clarification on the current status of the project. "Whenever problems arise in the city, the questions are directed at the Mayor, but the actual responsible entities must also be held accountable. "He also criticized MQM, saying they need to decide whose side they are on and must seriously revisit their vision. 

"If Muneem Zafar doesn’t criticize, will he sell chickpeas instead?" He revealed that Rs. 27 billion have already been disbursed to their towns, yet the outcomes are unsatisfactory. "Next week, I’ll make another revelation. My fight is against hypocrisy," he said.

Referring to poor construction quality, Wahab alleged that "roads built under Muneem Zafar’s supervision collapse," and lamented that such failures are never addressed publicly. He also condemned a coordinated propaganda campaign run through certain political pages on social media." The truth is, work is currently ongoing on 106 roads in Karachi, and the public will soon see visible improvements."

He hinted that even Hafiz Sahib seems unhappy with some of his nine town chairmen who have failed to deliver adequately. On rising urban crimes, he expressed concern, saying: "Drug addicts steal our electric wires and lights. Immediate action is required to tackle this." He affirmed that the public is now aware of the difference between truth and lies, and added: "We need to speak candidly to bring Karachi out of its problems."

Mayor Murtaza Wahab also extended heartfelt birthday greetings to Chairman Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, paying tribute to his political, democratic, and leadership services. He praised Bilawal’s vision, calling him a strong example of youth leadership in Pakistan. He stated that Bilawal Bhutto has played a pivotal role in the promotion of democratic values, protection of public rights, and the strengthening of civilian supremacy, adding that his contributions are truly commendable. "Wherever trees are being cut down, that is wrong. In a city like Karachi, we must not allow tree-cutting." He emphasized that he strongly supports the plantation of environment-friendly trees and reaffirmed his commitment that the journey of serving this city will continue with full dedication.