ISLAMABAD: “Agha Nasir used to think while walking and a number of times, after a walk, he shared very good ideas with me. God blessed me with a husband who had a number of qualities.”

This was stated by Safia Agha Nasir, wife of the late director, producer and broadcaster, Agha Nasir, at the launch of her late husband’s 10th book, Agha Say Agha Nasir Tak, at Islamabad Club on Sunday.

Agha Nasir was born in Mumbai in 1937. He started his career with Radio Pakistan in 1955. He later directed films and worked in Pakistan’s television industry for over 50 years. Agha Nasir died in July 2016 in Islamabad.

Ms Safia said while writing the book her husband asked her what should be its title. She suggested that it should be Agha say Agha Nasir Tak. Ms Safia said after his death when she saw the draft of the book the title was the same which she had suggested.

“Nasir never took an interest in cooking and other household work. He even did not know how to boil an egg. A number of times, during breakfast, he asked me where is my boiled egg? I used to tell him that it was just in front of him and every time he would say why I did not tell him about it,” she said.

“We got married in 1957 when Agha was working in Radio Pakistan,” she said.

Poet Haris Khaleeq said Agha Nasir used to educate people without getting them realised their ignorance.

“I initially met him in Lahore followed by a number of meetings in Islamabad. His last few books seemed to be an effort to apprise people of the history of Pakistan and the role of Faiz Ahmed Faiz and other poets,” he said.

“In one of his books, Agha Nasir writes that just two days before the fall of Dhaka, Gen Yahya Khan suggested playing a song of his choice after the PTV Khabarnama (news bulletin) at 9pm every day,” he said.

The book covers his childhood, including his school years, his friends, his parents and the family bounds which he was very proud of. It also covers how he joined Radio Pakistan. The first director general, Z.A. Bukhari, was his ideal. The book narrates the relationship he enjoyed with his mentor, Mr Bukhari.

The book also focuses Mr Agha’s position as the managing director PTV and his role in difficult times of General Ziaul Haq, Mohammad Khan Junejo, his role as the director general Radio Pakistan and his interaction with the then prime minister Benzair Bhutto.

It also covers the literally part of his life with prominent figures such as Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ahmad Faraz, Munno Bhai and many more personalities.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2018