The Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi organized the book launch ceremony of renowned poet, writer, and intellectual Gohar Azmi’s poetry collection titled “Aaina-e-Tamsaal” at Haseena Moin Hall. The event began with the recitation of the Holy Quran. The ceremony was presided over by eminent educationist Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui, while Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi attended as the chief guest.
Noted literary figures Sohail Shafiq, Rizwan Siddiqui, Akhtar Saeedi, Tajdar Adil, Shair Ali Shair, and Owais Adeeb Ansari shared their views on the poet’s literary stature, intellectual depth, and poetic contributions.
In his presidential address, Dr. Pirzada Qasim Raza Siddiqui said that the evening was dedicated to Gohar Azmi, who represents truthfulness, integrity, and principled living in society. He remarked that in an era where corruption has reached alarming levels, personalities like Gohar Azmi stand as a ray of hope. He added that Gohar Azmi’s greatest strength lies in his consistency in writing and the strong continuity of thought reflected in his work.
Chief guest Dr. Sarosh Hashmat Lodhi stated that Gohar Azmi has authored 24 books over a period of 457 months, which reflects his extraordinary dedication and tireless efforts. He further said that Gohar Azmi is a devoted lover of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ), and that his poetry prominently reflects religious and moral values. Owais Adeeb Ansari described Gohar Azmi as a man of action and strong principles, adding that 23 of his books have already been published, showcasing his intellectual depth. He congratulated the poet on the publication of his latest book.
ShairAli Shair said that Gohar Azmi has been writing continuously for the past five decades with a clear sense of purpose, and that his hard work is not going in vain, as both the public and literary circles are warmly appreciating his writings.
Tajdar Adil remarked that Gohar Azmi has skillfully transformed complex words into simple and easily understandable language. He added that Azmi’s poetry is not merely an expression of thoughts but also conveys the message of the Hadith of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ). Rizwan Siddiqui stated that Gohar Azmi truly deserves to be recognized as a poet, and had he not been a poet, he would have utilized his oratory skills to reform society. During the ceremony, Sohail Shafiq recited selected verses from Gohar Azmi’s poetry collection, while Akhtar Saeedi presented a poem that was highly appreciated by the audience. At the conclusion of the event, Gohar Azmi expressed his gratitude to the participants, shared insights into his life and literary journey, and captivated the audience by reciting selected verses from his poetry collection “Aaina-e-Tamsaal.
