KARACHI, Dec 31: The authorities have created unnecessary and absurd obstacles to the visit of some well-known Indian literary figures, including Jagan Nath Azad and Qurratul Ain Hyder. As a result, some famous writers and poets of Indian nationality will not be able to visit the country to attend the 100th anniversary celebrations of Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu.
The Anjuman’s Pakistan chapter had requested the interior ministry to allow the visit of 10 Indian writers, poets and critics. They had lodged their application more than 15 days ago, said a well-placed source.
On Tuesday the Anjuman’s office-bearers received a letter — dated Dec 24 — which asked them to furnish, in triplicate and on prescribed visa forms, full identification particulars of the Indian writers and poets. Their photographs and copies of their passports were also demanded.
In addition, the full names, addresses and copies of the national identity cards of sponsors were also made required material, the source said.
The letter sent by the ministry, a copy of which was obtained by Dawn, was signed by Fazal Hakeem, a section officer. The letter, bearing number S-49/2002-India, was addressed to Umrao Tariq, the Anjuman’s deputy secretary.
According to the source, it was simply not possible for the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu Pakistan to submit the required material in the limited time period available before the anniversary celebrations.
“Our opening ceremony is scheduled to be held on Jan 3. This means we have got two days only to gather and submit all the documents required by the ministry. This is simply not possible.”
The source said precautions in case of ordinary Indians might be justified. “But red tape in cases involving renowned personalities only damages Pakistan’s reputation. Besides, what threat can academics, writers, poets and critics pose to the national security?”
Because of the red tape, Pakistanis taking part in the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu’s celebrations will be deprived of papers that were slated to be submitted by luminaries such as Jagan Nath Azad, Qurratul Ain Hyder, Khaliq Anjum and Rashid Hasan Khan, who is considered to be Urdu’s premier researcher.
Most of the Indians who had been invited belong to the Anjuman Taraqqi-i-Urdu Hind, said the source.
