KARACHI: A collection of short stories from Rehman Nishat, Be-chhat Asman (sky without the ceiling), was launched on Monday at the Pakistan Arts Council, with Dr Fahim Azmi in the chair.

The book was launched by the literary committee of the Pakistan Welfare Organisation.

Among those who addressed the audience were Prof Mahmood Wajid, Anwar Azmi, Shaheda Tabassum and Hasan Zaheer.

Critically evaluating the short stories of RN, Dr Azmi said that they carried all the basic qualities of modern fiction.

He differed with the views earlier expressed by Mahmood Wajid that Rehman Nishat left nothing unsaid in his stories.

Mahmood Wajid admired the writer for truing his pen on a variety of subjects. However, he said the stories carried more pain than pleasure.

He advised RN not to be so explanatory in his stories and should leave some points for the readers to guess and probe.

Shaheda Tabassum found the stories gripping and advised a busy reader not to pic the book if he/she was short of time.

To Shujaat Ali Beg, who was also the chief guest, the stories in the book appeared to have been written in a light vain, they were easy to read, though meaningful and thought-provoking.

Rashid Noor recalled his longtime association with Rehman Nishat and admired the book, and also the writer for his personal qualities.—H.A