"I firmly believe that unless the system -- in which intellectual contemplation is stifled and expression is enslaved -- is not changed, any problem related to the betterment of the humanity cannot be solved… A true writer can never become an agent or cog. A writer is concerned with humanity at large and with a brighter and better future of his/her society," so wrote Prof Waris Mir in one of his columns almost two decades ago.

Waris Mir, a celebrated writer and scholar and the former chairman of the Mass Communication Department at the University of Punjab, Lahore was at the climax of his professional career as a writer and a voice of the dissident when a sudden cardiac arrest interrupted his writings on July 9, 1987. His writings, about political matters, feministic issues, social implications, cultural reforms, religious beliefs, philosophical ponderings, literary references and even historical background remain relevant to date because they were not directed towards one individual -- they were rather directed towards educating the people about the ills of tyranny and the psychological problems that the military tyrants possess. His writings were not just aimed to stand apart from the rest of the literary and pseudo-intellectual crowd, but were rather aimed at awakening a sense of liberation amongst the despondent public.

His concerns for the posterity make him a timeless writer and it is only due to this characteristic of his writings that whatever Prof Waris Mir wrote is excellent reference material for journalistic writings, intellectual inquisitions, historical references, national issues, political dilemmas, religious and cultural tribulations, scholarly ponderings and a perfect guideline for those who wish to practice journalism in its true sense. If today he lived physically, he would be satisfied with the fact that at least he did not ‘play with facts to misguide the new generation.’

"The clash of right and wrong has been going on since Genesis and it shall always prevail, such as Musa (A.H) and the Pharaoh, Ibrahim (A.H) and Nemesis, Muhammad (P.B.U.H) and Abu Jehal and Hussain (R.A) and Yazeed are those characters of history whose fiery stories have actually made human history more interesting and long lasting. Till existence lasts, men of strength shall keep on coming to this world in order to advocate truth and justice and to defy injustice and affliction. True as that notion is, it is important to add in the same breath that such coward hearts shall keep contaminating the world as well who prefer to live a tainted life for the sake of their vested interests," wrote Waris Mir in one of his columns titled ‘Hussaini Sh’oor Aur Haq-e-Hukmrani‘ that appeared in October 1985.

The worst decadence that comes with the package of military dictatorship in any part of the world is totalitarianism -- an estimation of one’s self as a demigod. The decade of dictatorship of General Ziaul Haq brought, amongst other things, the cruel subjugation of women by reducing their social and legal status to half of that of men. Those women and a handful of men who did stand up to raise their voices against the laws made by Zia were slapped with tags of being Westernised and that they tarnished the name of Islam and Pakistan. A few were also faced with religious decrees calling them infidels. Waris Mir was one of them.

Usually, those who talk about the rights of women are women themselves. That is why it has always been so easy to dismiss them by giving them the tag of being Westernised feminists. Waris Mir, quoting from the Holy Quran, feminist thinkers like Simone de Beauvoir and by giving historical and social references, paints a picture that is neither based on a singular line of thought nor philosophical ponderings that are impossible to be translated into reality. Being an educator, his writings reflect sincere devotion and agonising concern that sometimes makes him sound ironic, even satirical and very forceful.

Waris Mir amalgamated historical orientation, international references and national situations in order to talk about issues pertaining to various sectors. These included political chaos in Pakistan, the unacceptable relationship between the polity of a country and the armed forces, ludicrous referenda of presidents holding military badges, rigged elections, sham democracy, suspension of the constitution and the like.

Waris Mir gave his life for a cause -- he was fighting against dictatorship but not the dictator himself. He wished for a reform in the political system of the country, he wanted the social status of the common man and woman to be uplifted, to let the nation breathe in and out without being stifled.

Prof Waris Mir lived by the philosophy "terrorism and extremism are the by-products of dictatorship" and the Pakistani nation has had a demonstration of this theory four times during four tyrannical dictatorship regimes in the country. However, the worst possible outcome of these four spells of totalitarianism is the extremist thought in our society.