'Faiz one of few major poets in Urdu'

Faiz is one of a few major poets in Urdu and is the only one after Iqbal who got recognition at international level. He voiced the problems and miserable conditions of liberals and people from marginalised sections of society in his poetry. These views were expressed by the State Minister for education Ghulam Farid Khatia while addressing a seminar to commemorate 100th birthday of Faiz Ahmad Faiz arranged by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
Iftikhar Arif Chairman National Language Authority, Agha Nasir, Ishfaq Saleem Mirza, Yousaf Hassan, Sarwat Mohyuddin, author of many books on Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ishfaq Hussain from Canada and Dr Colonel Abdaal Bela Acting Director General PAL also addressed the seminar.
Ghulam Farid Khatia further said that Faiz's involvement in progressive movement made its pace fast, he proved this opinion right by his poetry that under the umbrella of some specific ideology, known great literature can be produced. Iftikhar Arif said that after Iqbal, Faiz is the most literary personality who made great impact on our national literary history. He is the most popular poet and enjoyed the status of legend in his life.
He is known as progressive idealist and humanist poet nationally as well as internationally. He presented specific ideology in his prose writings regarding life and poetry and it is very clear that his poetry is up to that standard as well. Agha Nasir said that Faiz Ahmad Faiz was kind, soft hearted and coolheaded person. He was honoured as an intellectual and graceful person. I feel it my goodluck that during his lifetime I got more than one chance to be with him and gained his special attention. He was very kind to me.
Ishfaq Hussain said that Faiz Ahmad Faiz personality has become a symbol of Pakistani literature and culture. He spent open and exclusive life and all the aspects of his personality are remarkable as a film producer, teacher, journalist, poet and intellectual. He made a great impact on his era.