KARACHI, July 7: Firing the latest round in Khuda Kay Liye’s publicity campaign, the soundtrack of the film was launched at a hotel here on Saturday though the film’s celebrated director Shoaib Mansoor was — true to his reclusive nature — conspicuous by his absence.

Speaking at the press briefing, Imran Aslam, the head of a local television network handling the film’s marketing, said that the picture was a labour of love for Mansoor.

The story deals with the plight of Muslims post-September 11, especially the supposed battle for the “soul of Islam” being fought between the liberal and more conservative strains of believers.

When asked about the release date, Aslam coyly said that a date had not yet been finalised, but a source revealed that the film would be released on July 20 in Karachi.

Interestingly, Shoaib Mansoor has unleashed an uncharacteristically harsh volley of criticism against his former protégé Junaid Jamshed in the statement that accompanied the press kit.

“I felt that a confused man like Junaid had no right to confuse thousands of his youthful followers. I had given him 16 years of my life as a true friend and had played my role in his professional life to the best of my abilities. How could he throw away our 16 years just like that without even consulting me? ...” said Mansoor while discussing the impetus behind the film.—QAM