Academics recall Jalibi’s services

Condolence reference organised in memory of Jalibi at KU

KARACHI: Speakers paid rich tributes to renowned scholar, researcher, writer and former Vice Chancellor (VC) of the University of Karachi (KU), Dr Jameel Jalibi, during a condolence reference held at KU's Arts Auditorium on Thursday.

Addressing the audience at the event, Dr Muhammad Ajmal Khan, KU's VC, recalled that Jalibi was known for his patience, knowledge and wisdom, and that philosophical thinking was a part of his nature. He said that Jalibi made great endeavours to strengthen Urdu literature while the compilation of the English Urdu Dictionary was one of his major achievements.



Jalibi's literary work is exceptionally vast but his Tareekh-e-Adab-e-Urdu (History of Urdu Literature), in four volumes, is considered to be his greatest contribution to Urdu literature. He was one of the greatest scholars and writers of his time, who tirelessly served the Urdu language.

Jalibi had also served as the chairman of National Language Authority and the president of the Urdu Dictionary Board. He was also the honorary treasurer at Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu Pakistan.

Praising Jalibi's administrative competence, VC of Ziauddin University, Dr Pirzada Qasim said that Jalibi had also served other organisations before joining KU as the VC and the impact of his work in those organisations can easily be seen. He had put those organisations on the right track, leading to their success, said Dr Siddiqui.

Jalibi had served as a VC at KU from 1983 to 1987.

Another former VC of KU, Dr Muhammad Qaiser informed the audience that Jalibi had donated his entire collection of books as well as provided finances for the construction of a library, which is in the last stages of its completion.

Jalibi had arrived in an ambulance to inaugurate the under construction library despite his ill health, said Dr. Qaiser. This shows how much he loved books, he added.

Dr Shakeel ur Rahman Farooqi, from the Department of Genetics at KU, said that Dr Jalibi has left behind an intellectual legacy. Dr Farooqi further said that Jalibi did not spend much time at KU, but during his tenure he worked hard to improve the university's standards.



Former chairman of the Department of Urdu, Dr Moinuddin Aqeel said that Jalibi's name will always remain alive in history.

Meanwhile, Dr Sheer Muhammad Mirani of Sindhi Department at KU, noted lawyer Sadaqat Hussain Usmani, poet Syed Mairaj Jami also shared their memories of Jalibi with the audience.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2019.