BAHAWALPUR, Dec 4: Eminent poet Ahmad Fraz has denied seeking political asylum either in India or the UK during the regime of Gen Ziaul Haq.

A controversy raised its head again on Thursday when a paper of Prof Dr Shafiq Atish, head of the Islamia University’s Urdu department, touching upon the issue, was read to audience at a programme.

Describing the controversy as baseless, Mr Fraz said in the self-exiled days during the martial law of late Ziaul Haq, he had once visited India where he participated in a mushaira along with other Pakistani poets. He said he stayed with his compatriots and after attending the function returned to the UK.

He said after his participation in the mushaira, he was exiled from Sindh and feared that he might not be allowed to enter other provinces as well. So, he moved to England to live with his brother, he added.

Recalling his tribulations, he said he was removed from job in the regime of a military dictator, jailed and banned in PTV and Radio Pakistan.

A poet of love, Mr Fraz said he had deep love and respect for his homeland and its people.

Replying to a question, he said the current political situation was not different from the martial law days of the past years.