Remembering Ahmad Saleem

Ahmad Saleem, a luminary in the realm of Urdu and Punjabi literature and poetry, left an indelible mark on Pakistan’s social and political landscape. He was a mentor to many of us.

I have not read all of his 175-plus publications, but whatever I could read is worth many degrees. His extensive body of work reflects great depth of insight that transcends mere academic pursuits. His influence extends across diverse facets of South Asia’s history, politics, and culture, making his contributions invaluable.

Those interested in learning about the evolution of Pakistan’s political culture cannot overlook Saleem’s seminal four-volume series, ‘Pakistan ki Siasi Tareekh’ (Pakistan’s Political History). For a nuanced exploration of the factors leading to the tragic separation of East Pakistan, his work ‘Land of Two Partitions’ serves as a poignant resource.

His book ‘Rewriting History’ vividly narrates stories of friendship and how Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs risked their lives to save each other’s during Punjab’s communal riots in 1947, offering a compelling alternative perspective on a critical juncture in the Subcontinent’s past. To understand the role of religious minorities in Pakistan’s trajectory, his work ‘Pakistan and Religious Minorities’ is an illuminating read.

Saleem’s approach to biographies featuring personalities such as Iskandar Mirza, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Jam Saqi, Saif Khalid, Amrita Pritam, Masood Khadarpoosh, Habib Jalib, Karl Marx and others stands out for its unbiased portrayal. Rather than succumbing to binary perspectives, Saleem skilfully introduces shades of grey, providing a balanced and nuanced understanding of these figures.

The post-Zia era witnessed the ebb of leftist movements in Pakistan. Young Saleem, as a member of the Communist Party of Pakistan’s student wing, had first-hand experience of the evolution of leftist movements in Pakistan. He also had the insight into the fall of left politics in Pakistan.

Saleem’s publications including ‘Roshan Khiali’ (Enlightenment), ‘Jis Dhaj Se Koi Maqtal Ko Gaya’ (The Honour with which One Went to the Gallows), ‘Tareekh Ka Aik Gumshuda Warq’ (The Lost Page of History) and others are essential to comprehend the rise and fall of left-wing politics in the country.

His political ideas were influenced by Faiz Ahmed Faiz. He always took pride in being a disciple of Faiz and how he narrated his memories with him – in a way that takes his readers to Faiz’s company. Beyond politics, Saleem’s exploration of Pakistan’s culture and arts, documenting the evolution of PTV, radio, and cinema, showcases his commitment to capturing the nation’s multifaceted identity.

Born in Gujrat’s village Miana Gondal in 1945, he grew up in Peshawar and started his professional life in Karachi. That multicultural exposure in his formative years embodied the spirit of a true Pakistani in him. That helped him break the taboos and stigmas attached to challenging the policies and practices that bred marginalization and exclusion in smaller provinces.

For doing this, he had to go to jail several times as a prisoner of conscience. However, his commitment to human rights and an inclusive society remained intact.

Noteworthy are the compilations of Saleem’s letters to and from luminaries like Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Amrita Pritam, Rajinder Singh Bedi and others. These volumes serve as a window to the burning issues of their time, contrasting sharply with the impersonal nature of contemporary communication mediums such as WhatsApp and emails.

As a poet, Saleem’s verses resonate as the voice of the people. His courage is evident in addressing sensitive topics such as the forced conversions of girls and women who were kidnapped or separated from their families on both sides of the border after the communal riots of 1947.

Through his poems, he also showed solidarity with marginalized groups and advocated for labourers and farmers’ rights. His poetry reflects a commitment to social justice and a keen awareness of the challenges faced by various segments of society.

My first interaction with Ahmad Saleem was in 2001. At that time, he was the editor of Urdu and vernacular language publications at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI). His unwavering belief in translating policy research into local languages underscored his commitment to making information accessible to a broader audience.

When I compile a list of my lifetime accomplishments, one of the most significant will be retaining him at the SDPI for almost two decades. He remained associated with the SDPI until he breathed his last. He started working at a very young age and stayed at the SDPI longer than any other organization in his career - spanning over six decades.

While at the SDPI, one of his initiatives was to recognize the lifetime achievements of writers and poets through the SDPI’s lifetime achievement awards.

Saleem’s legacy extends beyond his literary contributions. At the SDPI, he was drawing a decent salary, and he used to spend all of it on buying second-hand and new books and magazines. At times, after purchasing books, he was left with no money to meet his daily needs.

Noting this, we started paying his salary in weekly instalments, but this did not make much difference as he started buying books on deferred payments, paying the seller as soon as he had any money in his pocket. He believed in disseminating knowledge and established a resource centre (comprising more than 30,000 books) that became a global hub for researchers studying South Asia.

I remember my first visit to his house in Islamabad. He was unwell, and I went to enquire about his health. It seemed I had entered a book warehouse in Urdu Bazar, Lahore. Everywhere, from floor to roof and on and around his bed, were piles of books and newspapers. He was lying in bed in the middle of those piles with his signature smile.

The washroom door was slightly open, and guess what? There were books piled up in his washroom, too. Out of curiosity, I intentionally went there, and it was the first and last time I saw the combination of a study room and a washroom. Only Ahmad Saleem could do it.

We used to believe that his books were his only love, but he proved us wrong. During the SDPI’s financial crisis in 2008, he surrendered his gratuity and provident funds to help pay off the organization’s liabilities. He also decided to work for the SDPI without salary and continued working under this arrangement for almost a year until the organization’s financial situation improved. This demonstrated his strong commitment to the SDPI’s mission.

His resilience against health challenges, including a liver transplant in 2013 and a battle with Parkinson’s disease during the last two years, symbolizes the courage and fortitude that defined his life. Neither cancer nor Parkinson’s disease could stop him from reading and writing. It was with Parkinson’s that he compiled his memoir ‘Meri Dharti Meray Log’ (My Land, My People) last year.

Ahmad Saleem’s passing on International Human Rights Day, (December 10 2023) marks the end of an era. While he may no longer be with us, his legacy will continue through his writings, his resource centre, and the countless lives he touched with his intellectual contributions. May his soul rest in peace.

The writer heads the Sustainable Development Policy Institute. He tweets/posts @abidsuleri