Qasmi is not just a creative artist but also a public intellectual. Despite the fact that he was a government servant, Qasmi braved adversity and restrictions, especially during the dictatorial regimes. At the time of military coup of October 12th 1999, Qasmi was serving as Pakistan’s ambassador to Thailand. Certain overtures were made to him by the military junta which had assumed power to continue with his position but. Qasmi left his lucrative position and took a principled stand of coming back to Pakistan and resist the military regime with the power of his pen. In the early weeks and months of press censorship and restrictions, it was Qasmi’s column which gave hope to the people.
In recognition of his services to literature, the government of Pakistan has awarded him with some of the highest civilian honors, including Pride of Performance, Sitara-i-Imtiaz and Hilal-i-Imtiaz.
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