By Afshan Lalani
KARACHI: Book launching to celebrate 60 years of ESUP was done by Murtaza Wahab, Advisor to the Chief Minister Sind and Administrator of Karachi. The parent organization, English-Speaking Union (ESU) was founded in the United Kingdom on June 28th, 1918 on the initiative of an English writer and journalist, Sir Evelyn Wrench. During its 100 year history, the ESU has played an important role in fostering cultural links between people of different nationalities.
The original ties between Great Britain, the United States of America and the Commonwealth countries have, in recent decades, been extended to most countries globally and Pakistan is no exception with the English Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP). ESU of Pakistan was formed in 1961 by a group of prominent individuals which, besides others, included Mr. Ahmed Jaffer and Mr.Dinshaw Avari. It has since been headed by equally well-known personalities and to name a few from the recent past include Mr. Kader Jaffer, Mr. Byram Avari, Mrs. Shahida Jameel, Mr. Hussain Haroon and with the present President, Mr. Aziz Memon. It is an independent, non-political body, operating with the support of many distinguished figures from both the public and the private sectors. Corporate members support the ESU’s activities through sponsorship of individual awards and events.
The ESU International Headquarters in London is led by a Director General, where in the UK alone it has over 6000 members in 35 local branches. ESU has a Board of Governors with 13 members coming from a variety of backgrounds who act as trustees and guide the organization while setting strategic objectives for all its affiliated bodies worldwide which numbers over 60 and includes Pakistan as well. ESU of Pakistan launched the book covering the history and its performance over the years as 2021 marks the 60th year of it’s formation by a select few notables with Mr. Ahmed E. H. Jaffer as the founding President of ESUP.
The book includes messages from the office bearers of the parent organization as also messages from Pakistan’s prominent figures including the President of Pakistan, Dr. Arif Alvi, and the Chief Minister of Sindh, Mr. Murad Ali Shah. It further highlights the events in which well know personalities were invited to attend as guest speakers, interesting articles by the likes of Prof. Dr. Atta Ur Rahman and Mr. Hussain Haroon and details of participation in events by ESUP including those held internationally.
Pictures Credits: Photojournalist Javed Iqbal
