Riyadh-Saudi Arabia — A grand farewell ceremony was organized in honor of Dr. Tariq Aziz, Secretary General of the international literary organization Halqa-e-Fikr-o-Fun, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The event brought together a diverse group of intellectuals, poets, and community leaders, including Member of the Punjab Assembly, Malik Falak Sher Awan.
The event was presided over by Sheikh Muhammad Arshad, Senior Advisor to Halqa-e-Fikr-o-Fun, while the ceremony’s distinguished guests included former Member of the National Assembly Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad Jutt, Member of the Punjab Assembly Malik Falak Sher Awan, Principal of Pakistan International School Riyadh Raja Muhammad Irfan, PIA Riyadh Manager Bilal Ahmad, and Senior Vice President of Halqa-e-Fikr-o-Fun, Baba-e-Riyadh Qazi Muhammad Ishaq Memon. The program was hosted by renowned literary figure Waqar Naseem Wamiq.
Several prominent personalities including President of Halqa-e-Fikr-o-Fun Waqar Naseem Wamiq, Vice Chairman Adnan Iqbal Butt, Makhdoom Ameen Tajir, Dr. Mehmood Bajwa, Rana Abdur Rauf, Waseem Sajid, Muhammad Khalid Rana, Saqib Zubair, Rana Umar Farooq, and Bashir Ahmad Chaudhry, paid rich tribute to Dr. Tariq Aziz for his unique literary contributions. They emphasized that his prose and commitment have left a lasting impact on Riyadh’s literary circles.
Speakers such as Yaqoob Saifi, Mian Sajid Mushtaq, Zeeshan Qazi, Ejaz Raheem, Zakaullah Mohsin, Ilyas Raheem, Ajmal Manhas, Raja Gulzaib Kayani, Ibrahim Jutt, G.M. Awan, and Talha Zaheer praised Dr. Tariq Aziz for his dual contributions in the field of medicine and Urdu literature, stating that his name will forever be remembered in golden words for promoting Urdu language and culture in Saudi Arabia.
The event also featured a poetry recital, where renowned poets including Qalb-e-Abbas, Syed Tayyab Raza Kazmi, Kamran Hasani, Zawaaq Ali Zaki, and Waqar Naseem Wamiq presented their poetic tributes to Dr. Tariq Aziz, earning rounds of applause from the audience.
In his address, Dr. Tariq Aziz reflected on his 18 years in Saudi Arabia, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the sincere bonds he developed with both the Pakistani community and the Saudi people. He lauded Halqa-e-Fikr-o-Fun as a vital platform for both senior and emerging writers to showcase and develop their literary talents.
To recognize his literary and academic services, Halqa-e-Fikr-o-Fun presented Dr. Tariq Aziz with an honorary shield. Traditional gifts were also presented: a Sindhi Ajrak from Baba-e-Riyadh Qazi Muhammad Ishaq Memon, a souvenir from PIA Manager Bilal Ahmad, and additional tokens of appreciation from PPP’s Waseem Sajid and Gakhar Federation’s Raja Gulzaib Kayani.
The event concluded with a formal dinner in honor of the guests and participants.