When a writer’s articles become a record of political resistance, preserving them becomes a duty. Juhd-i-Qalam is more than a book — it is a curated collection of Shaukat Siddiqi’s fearless journalism from the early 1970s, originally published in Al-Fath, a Karachi-based weekly.
Compiled to commemorate his birth centenary, the book brings together editorials written during a time when Pakistan was navigating martial law, suppression of press freedom, and the fall of Dhaka. The pieces touch on socialism, feudalism, religious politics, and even literary corruption — all penned with Siddiqi’s sharp wit and unwavering commitment to truth.
With forewords by notable writers like Wahab Siddiqi and Mahmood Shaam, Juhd-i-Qalam not only showcases Siddiqi’s intellect but also the cultural and political resistance of an entire generation. It is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand Pakistan’s press history and progressive thought.