Prof Mohammad Waris Mir, born on November 22, 1938, was an eminent Pakistani writer, journalist, intellectual, and academician of his times who is recognized for his courageous struggle to uphold the cause of democracy and press freedom through his bold writings during the dictatorial era of Pakistan’s third military ruler, President General Ziaul Haq. Speaking out at the behest of the people of Pakistan with a mission – ‘to write for the posterity, to speak as the people’s voice’ – was a task not many could take up in those oppressive days.