Drive in Pakistan for Poets' Welfare Fund

This was stated by Hakeem Nasir, famous Pakistani Urdu poet and Unani medical doctor, while talking to Khaleej Times at a poetry session organised by World Writers' Forum, Dubai, to listen to his poetry on Monday evening.

Nasir, who is on a short visit from Karachi to Dubai, said that he was constantly in touch with the government officials and the philanthropists in the private sector for the establishment of the fund.

"The poets themselves have no job and even their children have serious difficulties in finding jobs. They do not have enough money to take care of themselves in illnesses and in emergencies. In many cases, they die without publishing the collection of their poems. And their collection is published after their death by any kind hearted person," Nasir said sadly.

The establishment of the fund has to be a joint effort by the government, the wealthy individuals and major corporate entities, Nasir said.

During the poetry session, Nasir read several of his poems and ghazals, including the most famous, Deewana Bana Rakha Hai, with new verses added to the poem. The ghazal, sung by Abida Perveen, was instrumental in making him famous. His other verses were from Karachi, Aansoo (tears), Aankhain (eyes), Maan (mother), Sadqa (charity), Tawaef (prostitute) and Ghame Hussain (mourning Hussain).

Farzana Sahab Mirza, well-known UAE-based poet, read several of her ghazals and poems, along with Abdul Razak Jangda, Adnan Khan Dani, and Mohammad Abdul Qudoos.

Shaikh Parvaiz, President of the Forum, announced that a one-poet-one-singer programme was being organised by the Forum in Dubai where singer Ghulshan Ara Syed will sing Hakeem Nasir's verses.