Press Release
Pakistan Writers Guild, Sindh – Formal Meeting
Venue: Gul Rang Hall, Arts Council of Pakistan, Karachi
Date & Time: Thursday, 26 June 2025, 7:00 pm
A brief yet significant meeting of the Pakistan Writers Guild, Sindh, was held under the direction of Honorary Secretary Ahmed Umar Sharif, with senior member Nasir Shamsi presiding. Distinguished senior members of the Guild, along with prominent literary, academic, and cultural personalities, attended the meeting and signed the attendance register.
Participants included: Iqbal Lateef, Sohail Ahmed, Rehana Ruhi, Javed Saba, Atta Tabassum, Wajiha Ahmed Siddiqui, Iqbal Ahmed Ghori, Zafar Moeen Balle Jafri, Usman Damohi, Qabal A. Rahman, Khalid Parvez Siddiqui, Nadeem Zafar Siddiqui, Prof. Karan Singh, Ghazala Khalid, Shahid Mahmood Shahid, Prof. Dr. Sajida Parveen, Razia Sultana, Gul Bano, Tabeer Aghai, Khursheed Alam, Shahida Khursheed, Syed Abdul Basit, Syed Saboor Ali Naqvi, Abdul Zameer Khan, Rabia Fareedi, Shah Nawaz Hussaini, Jafar Aziz, Hammad Khan, Tamjeed Anjum, Abdul Sattar Mandrah, and Muhammad Waseem.
Agenda
- Recitation from the Holy Qur’an
- Naat (Praise of the Holy Prophet ﷺ)
- Confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting
- New membership of the Pakistan Writers Guild – discussion on received applications and approvals
- Election and approval of names for vacant seats in the Executive Committee and for the Treasurer
- Discussion on other matters permitted by the Chair
The meeting commenced with recitation of the Holy Qur’an and a Naat by Qari Waqar Ahmed Attari. The newly appointed Treasurer, Shahid Mahmood Shahid, conducted the proceedings and invited the Chair to deliver his address.
In his remarks, Nasir Shamsi highlighted the Guild’s past achievements, current status, and future goals. The host then presented each agenda item and resolution one by one, all of which were unanimously approved through a show of hands.
Agenda Item 4: New Membership – Suggestions and Approvals
Renowned poet Javed Saba proposed that membership be granted strictly on merit and that a scrutiny committee be formed to ensure fairness. Producer Iqbal Lateef recommended that, in accordance with the constitution, members submit their opinions in writing and that the minimum membership fee be set at Rs. 1,000.
Prominent poet Rehana Ruhi, expressing concern over the growing trend of literary plagiarism, appreciated the revival of the Guild, remarking that it had helped move the community “from guilt back to guild.”
Sohail Ahmed and the Honorary Resident Director of the Pakistan Academy of Letters, Nadeem Zafar Siddiqui, supported the proposal to revise the membership fee, calling it a timely need.
Other members emphasized resuming formal monthly sittings after Muharram.
Agenda Item 5: Approval of the Executive Committee and Treasurer
The host presented a resolution to approve the following members of the new Executive Committee of the Pakistan Writers Guild, Sindh. The resolution was passed by majority vote:
- Ahmed Umar Sharif (Honorary Secretary)
- Shahid Mahmood Shahid (Honorary Treasurer)
- Nasir Shamsi, Asmat Khatri, Zaib Azkaar Hussain, Nadeem Zafar Siddiqui, Prof. Dr. Karan Singh, Zafar Moeen Balle Jafri, Ghazala Khalid, Kashif Hussain Ghaair, Shahida Khursheed, Masroor Peerzado
(Members of the Executive Committee)
Agenda Item 8: Discussion on Other Matters
Under this item, significant proposals were presented regarding the Guild’s financial resources, website, social media platforms, and revival of literary activities. The newly elected Executive Committee assured prompt action on these matters.
It is noteworthy that Honorary Secretary Ahmed Umar Sharif suffered a sudden angina attack on the same day and had to be taken to emergency cardiac care. Despite medical advice and concern from his family, he attended the meeting to ensure it would not be postponed after a long gap. Participants expressed both joy and concern at his presence and strongly advised him to take complete rest.
At the conclusion of the event, a cake was cut in celebration of the birthday of newly elected Executive Committee member Shahida Khursheed.
Despite lasting only twenty minutes, the meeting proved productive, meaningful, and pleasantly memorable for all attendees.
Ahmed Umar Sharif
Secretary
Pakistan Writers Guild, Sindh