KARACHI, March 18: Life story of an ex-soldier, an autobiography from Brig (retd) S.S. A. Qasim, was launched on Monday at the Arts Council. The book consists of three parts viz i) Transport, ii) Debacle of East Pakistan and iii) other aspects of the writer’s family and personal accounts.

The book launching was attended by a good number of intellectuals, government officials, naval officers and armymen, also those representing chartered institute of logistics and transport.

Air Marshal M. A. Daudpota, who was chief guest of the evening, analysed the book in its true perspective containing therein its historical characteristics.

Haq Nawaz Akhtar, a former chairman of the Pakistan Steel praised the book for the truthful account during a critical period of Pakistan’s history — 1970-71 and the way the writer suffered as a POW after the fall of Dhaka.

Mohammad Aziz Khan of Pakistan Steel admired the book which to him was otherwise useful for students of history and the general reading public, also useful to the younger generations.

S S A Qasim, he said, is a practical man and a soldier to serve the country in whatever way he could.

Mahmood Sham, who presided over the proceedings, admired the book and advized that the recommendations made by the writer be carefully studied and adopted in the transport sector.

At the outset, Mahmood Khawer praised the contents of the book, he found of vital importance to the people of Karachi, particularly those employed and also affected by the transport system.

Naqqash Kazmi, chairman, Adabi Committee of Pakistan Arts Council, admired the writer for rendering meritorious service in the social sector, particularly the demanding task of managing the transportation.

Mrs Shagufta Farhat, President Bhopal Forum, host of the evening, welcomed the writer and praised his memorable writing. Owais Adib Ansari of the Forum thanked the guests apart from giving some brief remarks on the book.

Ms Salma Beg did the compering and termed the book “very useful”, written “not by an ex-soldier” but a man in action since a soldier never retires.—Hasan Abidi