ith the recent passing of Iftikhar Bhutta in his hometown, Gujrat, we have lost a dedicated liberal and secular writer and activist. Throughout his life, he tirelessly championed the causes of the ordinary people. Until his last breath, he remained engaged in reading and writing sociopolitical essays for numerous left-wing Urdu magazines nationwide.

Born in a village near Gujrat in 1952, Iftikhar Bhutta was drawn to progressive literature. In his youth, he expressed his discontent with the inhuman and exploitative socioeconomic system through verses and short stories. His engagement with a community of liberal thinkers in Gujrat further shaped his perspectives on sociopolitical issues.

Chaudhry Masood Akhtar, a prominent figure among the left-wing community in Gujrat, maintained an open office that welcomed poets, actisvists and political workers of all persuasions. Now in his eighties, he remains active, often hosting discussions in his law chamber that cover a wide array of topics. The space continues to serve as a meeting point for social dissenters and critics who challenge regressive state policies.

It was in these gatherings that Iftikhar Bhutta, alongside people like Akbar Ali MA and Syed Shabbir Hussain Shah, perfected his ideals.

In the 1990s, Akbar Ali MA authored books and scholarly articles that garnered widespread readership in national Urdu dailies. His writings emphasised a scientific approach to addressing rapid social changes. Meanwhile, Iftikhar Bhutta had begun a career in banking. Bhutta believed in left-wing politics being a remedy for societal issues.

He contributed numerous articles on social, political and economic topics to left-wing magazines nationwide. He becoming a prolific writer with hundreds of articles to his name.

Iftikhar Bhutta authored two books, Insan, Samaj Aur Muash and Meray Fikri Safar Kay Pachas Saal, a collection of his insightful articles.

Always an avid reader, Bhutta had amassed a collection of over 6,000 books in his study. Despite being bedridden in recent years due to paralysis, he remained engaged with books and his thoughts. Liaqat Ali Adv, a liberal activist and lawyer, visited him a few months ago to acknowledge Bhutta’s dedication to writing in support of liberal causes. He also emphasised the importance of celebrating Bhutta’s meaningful life and suggested that his friends gather to honour his memory.

Sheikh Abdul Rashid, another writer from Gujrat, described Bhutta’s passing as a loss to the city. He reflected on Bhutta’s passionate advocacy for the underprivileged and his relentless critique of the economic and social policies of the state.

Iftikhar Bhutta authored two books: Insan, Samaj Aur Muash and Meray Fikri Safar Kay Pachas Saal, a collection of his insightful articles. His mobility was restricted a few years ago by a debilitating paralysis. He donated his collection of books to the Almeer Trust Library so that students and the general public could benefit from it. According to his son, Umar Iftikhar, Bhutta had intended to write his memoirs. However, the project was thwarted by his declining health. Despite his physical limitations over the past four years, he continued reading and writing.

Books were always by his side, offering constant companionship as he browsed through them. Iftikhar Bhutta actively nurtured young writers and poets in his city, organising literary gatherings under the Progressive Writers Association, Gujrat. His family and friends should gather his articles and publish them in a book to preserve his legacy.

The University of Gujrat should publish his work to educate the youth about his contribution.

The writer is a freelance journalist based in Lahore