ISLAMABAD: Journalist Tahir Mughal’s book ‘Zindagi Ke Safar Main’ (On the Journey of Life) was launched at Islamabad Club on Monday. The book is based on the author’s experiences reporting on incidents in Islamabad in Rawalpindi.

The author recounts some major incidents in the history of Pakistan which took place in the twin cities and were directly experiences by him. He narrated the story of the murder of a Russian ambassador outside the Foreign Office in 1985, the Ojhri camp incident in April 1988 which left 100 people dead and the mysterious murders by Hathora group in the 1980s.

Mughal also recounts Pervez Musharraf’s 1999 coup and personal incidents such as a robbery at his house. Mughal also discusses his visits to various countries.

The author said his family encouraged him to compile his experiences in the form of a book.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Pervaiz Rashid, while addressing guests at the book launch, said he decided to give the book a cursory read but was compelled to read every article. He said he found the article on the hathora group especially interesting because it terrorised the entire country in the 1980s.

“I believe enlightened people such as Tahir Mughal should write books because such books can counter those who write to spread terrorism,” he said.

Literary figure Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik said the book recounts the history of Rawalpindi and Islamabad well. He said that in the past journalists were more principled but today media has become a business.

Journalist Saud Saher said journalists have always been more honest than people in other segments of society.

Adding to the discussion, journalist Zahid Malik said in the past media was more powerful as society had less tolerance towards corruption and crime.

Journalist Saher Siddique said that Tahir Mughal had made the work of historians easier by publishing such a book.

Published in Dawn, February 24th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play