KARACHI: Two travelogues by Qamar Ali Abbasi were launched on Sunday, which were,‘Aur diwar gir gai’ the outcome of the author’s visit to Germany, and ‘Sahra mein Sham’ based on his travel to Morocco, at a ceremony presided over by Gen Moinuddin Haider.

Dost Mohammad Faizi, speaking about the books, viewed the occasion as a “family get together”— the same president, the same host (Mrs Nilofer Abbasi), the same set of speakers, the same publisher and lastly the same people, the author’s favourite readers,’he remarked.

Gen Haider, in his speech found both the books ‘absorbing’ and highly readable and advised the author, to be cautious regarding his heart’s health, as the author, who recently had a heart surgery, had returning from Mauritius after attending an Urdu conference over there.

He said that the books might also be launched in other major cities, while lamenting that the city, in recent times, had lost its appeal for the travellers. He highly admired Mr Abbasi’s efforts for introducing Pakistan in foreign lands.

Dost Mohammad Faizi, in his lively discourse, introduced the author recalling his student life and later his career as a broadcaster and writer. He requested the writer to write a travelogue of Pakistan as a visiting writer from New York.

Ms Rahila Tiwana, Deputy Speaker, Sindh assembly, who was chief guest at the function, praised the writer as an honest and dedicated writer.

Columnist, Azher Hasan Siddiqui, in his paper analysed the prose of the travel account of Germany and came with lively comments on the book.

Mr Abbasi, at the end, briefly commented on his experiences during his stay in the US and other lands. He thanked the publishers, Qaiser Zaidi and Brothers, for publishing his books.—H.A