LAHORE, May 11: Speakers at a gathering here on Thursday emphasised the need for putting an end to extremism for smooth relations between Pakistan and India.

They were speaking at a meeting of intellectuals, journalists, writers, publishers and people from different walks of life held at Alhamra to launch Blood Brothers: A Family Saga, a book by Indian editor, columnist and author M.J.Akbar. Former foreign secretary and Pakistan Cricket Board chief Shehryar Khan was in chair.

Indian High Commissioner Shiv Shankar Menon said that Akbar had woven politics and religion into a fiction and novel, narrating them in human terms. He had portrayed a true picture of the plural Indian society.

He said that if any body asked him which could be the best book on India he would recommend Akbar’s latest work. But he could not refer to any such effort from Pakistan.

Menon said that there was a need for writing and publishing such books which gave the message of hope and peaceful life to the people of the two countries. “While discussing the horrible events after the partition, the author expressed his hope with a determination that these should not happen again. The book is not an easy reading as it poses difficult questions,” he said.

Former federal minister and MNA Aitzaz Ahsan said that the main theme which he described as ‘golden thread’ of the book was its message of hope, co-existence, brotherhood and tolerance between Pakistan and India. He said the main lesson (of the book) was the need for the elimination of extremism in both the countries and that their people must not be held hostage and prisoners of the elements of extremism.

Mr Shehryar Khan said that the author had expressed his courage of conviction, his belief and faith and his desire for sustaining relationship with the people. He aid that Akbar had not minced words when he described how his grand father who was a covert Muslim had faced starvation but he was a man of courage who braved all hardships and commanded respect in his area. He said that the book was a story of three generations — starting from grand father, father and the author himself.

Hameed Haroon of Pakistan Herald Publications discussed how author became a successful journalist and writer which, he said, was due to his hard work and honesty of purpose. He said that the book was, in fact, the watershed of Akbar’s life and a truthful and honest account of his experiences in life.

Referring to Akbar’s sentiments against extremism, Arif Nizami of The Nation called for resoling various bilateral issues between Pakistan and India, particularly the Kashmir. M.J.Akbar narrated how Lahore was dear to him as his mother, a Kashmiri woman, belonged to Amritsar and she used to visit her sister frequently in Lahore along with him. He recalled his schools days and holidays of Lahore.

According to APP, the speakers spoke of the expressive and simple style of the book and said Akbar’s writing stirred deep passion and emotions of both pre and post-partition period.

The speakers also noted the dilemma faced by the Indian muslims in the aftermath of the partition and the 1965 Indo- Pakistan War.