KARACHI: A book, Azab-i-hamsaigi by Feza Azmi was launched at the Pakistan Arts Council on Tuesday.

Presided over by Mr Abdul Haseeb Khan, the assembly was addressed by Qutbuddin Aziz, Professor Saher Ansari, Agha Masood Hussain, Professor Afaq Siddiqui and Ovais Adeeb Ansari.

Naqqash Kazmi was the host of the programme.

The content of the book was ably summed up in a few lines from the comments carried in the book which says: “ The country which prided in being peace-loving and which had firm faith in pluralism with respect to religion, appears to have completely departed from the teachings of great leaders.”

The book (which also carries the English translation of the verses) is a political commentary delivered in long free verse, which according to Professor Afaq’s is reminiscent of the long poems of Ali Sardar Jaferi, a historical consciousness and a sense of time.

Journalist Agha Masood Hussain said that even the title of the book was provocative and illustrated the ongoing political situation in the region.

The poet had delved into history and made an attempt to find out the reasons for the agony which had engulfed the entire last century, Mr Hussain said.

Professor Saher Ansari found the book thought provoking and closer to the modern day realities.

“Mr Aazmi has tried to awaken the human conscience,” he said.

Ishrat Romani was full of praise for the book and its English translation and observed that it reflected the events of the last 50 years.

“He has illustrated the difficulties that we face and the economic injustices which most of the people confront today,” he said.

Qutbuddin Aziz emphasized the need for peace in South Asia and quoted extensively from the news and commentaries published in Indian newspapers and elsewhere only to prove that in most cases it was no one else but our neighbour on the other side of the border responsible for causing major trouble.

Poet Feza Aazmi, before concluding his speech, read out a poem from the book and observed that literature had to play a positive role in bringing about peace in the region and in this respect the creative people should not lag behind.

He said he was happy to have received an encouraging letter from noted Indian intellectual Mr Khushwant Singh.

Earlier Naqqash Kazmi introduced the book and lauded the poet for his literary work.

Ovais Adeeb Ansari represented the Bhopal International Forum, the co-sponsors of the programme.—Hasan Abidi