KARACHI: Eminent broa­d­caster Ali Ahmed Khan’s book carrying his eyewitness account to history entwined with touching human tragedies and written in an unprejudiced style sparked a debate over realities and facts vis-à-vis the making of Bangladesh, which, speakers at the book launch said, were still, largely, hidden in the mist of mystery.

The book Junoon aik kahani — yaddashtain — was launched in an austerely-organised ceremony at the terrace of the Karachi Press Club.

The audience was told most copies of the first edition of the book were sold out before its formal launch.

Ali Ahmed Khan is a veteran journalist who earned fame for his gripping baritone voice on BBC Urdu service and his incredible control over the issues relating to South Asia made him a household name in the times when Pakistanis starved for news free from state control particularly during the military regime in 1980s.

“I personally feel,” said Mr Khan, “no incident of history happens in a day or instantly, it needs series of prejudices, injustices and blunders to make one happen.”

“Quite possibly nothing happens with big blunders initially, but then minor errors and controversies lead to inevitable history-defining events. Making of Bangladesh is no exception.”

Mr Khan, who lost his family members during the violence and riots that led to bloodshed all around in the then East Pakistan, said human beings hailing from the poor class died in the violence.

“The rich and powerful politicians and other influential people have never fought, but those poor people who hoped for a better future with making of Pakistan and then Bangladesh were victims of the worst bloodletting.

“And those who designed and executed the events got benefit from it. They hide the reality behind the façades that they have constructed with superficially emotional slogans,” he said.

Mr Khan narrated a number of events during his presence in the East Pakistan, which involved tragedies from all directions and by all those who were capable of generating violence.

“Give the victim any name, any identity, any ethnicity or any religion, it was a human who was executed, a poor human being.” he said.

“People are being exploited in the name of country, nationality and religion. And, this ploy is being used much before than the past 70 years.”

He said the key responsibility of the state was to safeguard the rights of its people and respect their wishes; else, tragedies were always knocking on the door.

Fiction writer Anwer Sen Roy said Mr Khan was a natural storyteller, which was a basic requirement for a good autobiographical work.

He said the region saw bloodshed of worst proportions in 1947 and then in 1971 when Pakistan lost its eastern wing with more than half of its population.

He said history regarding the events in 1947 gave good amount of documents and accounts and its facts could be objectively judged, but comparative material was not available for anyone desiring to write about the episode with detachment.

Writer Akhtar Balouch said the book was a significant account, which gave a better understanding about the issue, which merited extensive inquiry.

Dr Tauseef Ahmed Khan, who moderated the proceedings, said the author jotted down a series of moving tales, which formed a corner in the overall history relating to the making of Bangladesh.

Saeed Hasan Khan, Mehnaz Rehman, and Rasheed Butt also spoke.

KPC president Ahmed Khan Malik and secretary Maqsood Yousufi thanked the writer, speakers and the audience.

Published in Dawn, January 6th, 2018