November 17, 2002

THE success story of one of Pakistan’s leading publishing houses, Ferozsons, started 107 years ago in Lahore. The idea to educate the Muslim children of the subcontinent through publishing books was conceived by Maulvi Ferozedin, who was working on a model of education set by Sir Syed Ahmad Khan. Having realized the scarcity of reading material available for Muslim children, Maulvi Ferozedin decided to start writing for them. He did not have the vaguest of idea that his pre-Independence venture would translate into launching Ferozsons as a gigantic name in publishing.

“It wouldn’t be wrong to say that he pioneered children’s publications in Pakistan,” says Shazia Islam, the Urdu editor at Ferozsons. But in those first years of inception, Ferozsons did not have its own printing press. “Maulvi Ferozedin would write and get the books published elsewhere, till there was enough money to start his own publishing house,” continues Shazia. Since then, the publishing house has widened its scope and printed millions of books on every subject for people of every age.

“We don’t have class barriers at Ferozsons. You will find inexpensive books, priced from Rs8 to Rs10 for children who can’t spend a lot,” explains the Urdu editor.

Besides, publishing general books, which include fiction and non-fiction, keeping alive Maulvi Ferozedin’s objective of educating children has remained a focal point of Ferozsons Publications. Each year sees a minimum of 14 to 15 books published exclusively for children and teenagers. The quality of the books it publishes for children has won it many awards. This year, Fauzia Tahira’s Neeli chiriyan, won the National Book Foundation Prize of Pakistan.

“Nearly 50 per cent of what Ferozsons earns is spent on children’s books. Our aim is not simply to make money. That is why we do more than just print books. We’ll soon be publishing an invaluable book on Iqbal, Bachchon ka Iqbal, so that from an early age children should become interested in that great poet,” reveals Shazia.

Ferozsons works for children is a three-pronged policy of doing textbooks, general books and publishing a monthly Urdu magazine called Taleem-o-Tarbeeyat. This magazine referred to as TOT by Shazia Islam is its most important effort in children’s publications. Established, once again by Maulvi Ferozedin 60 years ago, the monthly is targeted for children of every age.

Ferozsons does not employ a permanent panel of writers, but it never fails to recognize a good manuscript. After approval by a team of editors, authors are usually given an initial contract of three years, with a 10 per cent royalty.

To facilitate publication further, the author is asked if s/he would like to be paid a lump sum. “Saeed Lakht, Ishtiaque Ahmed, Zubeida Sultana, Syed Azhar Zaidi and so many others have written extensively in Urdu for children. Among our English writers I would say that Ameeta Sher Ali and Dr Abdul Rauf’s books are a favourite among children.”

Nowadays, the publishing house is facing competition from the onslaught of the Internet and book piracy. “Our policy now is to make books visually attractive for children. That, unfortunately, raises its cost price.”

What goes in Ferozsons’ favour is the parents of children attending elite schools. They try not to deny the fashionable titles published abroad to their offspring and spend generously on books by foreign authors. Though it provides Ferozsons with the much needed financial boost, it leaves behind a trail of dissatisfaction. The books it publishes with the aim of providing education cannot always compete with the big names.

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