Book Review: Journey of Freedom

Courtesy: The Balochistan Point

Azadi Ka Safar (Journey of Freedom) is the latest book written by Abdul Rahim Zafar. This book consists of 216 pages and it has been published by Balucea publications in Quetta. As the title hints, the book is based on the author’s journey to Iraq to participate in Freedom movement of Iranian Balochistan.

Book Review: Balochistan - Its Politics and Economics

Courtesy: The Balochistan Point

A lot of books have been written about Balochistan. Most of them were about politics or tribal society and in Urdu Pre-dominantly. There has not been much work about Economics of Balochistan and that in English. Balochistan: It’s Politics and Economics is a unique book in sense that it focuses on economic situation of Balochistan. This book has been authored by Siddique Baloch who is a veteran Journalist and currently Editor-in-Chief of Daily Azadi and Daily Balochistan Express. This book has been published by Gosha-e-Adab Quetta.

Political Administrators: A review

Political Administrators is the title of book authored by Late Aminullah Chaudhry in 2011. This book sums up the story of Civil Service of Pakistan, from British Raj days to modern day Pakistan. Aminullah Chaudhry was born in 1944; He was inducted in Civil Service of Pakistan (CSP) in 1967. Throughout his career, He served at many posts ranging from Deputy Commissioner Shiekhupura, Commissioner Lahore division, Finance Secretary of Punjab, Principal Secretary to caretaker Prime Minister Mairaj Khalid and Director General of Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). He was the head of CAA on 12th October 1999, when the plane carrying General Pervez Musharraf was prevented from Landing in Karachi. Aminullah Chaudhry was also nominated in Plane Hijacking case but he was later acquitted by the court.

Murder of History

Courtesy: Laaltain Magazine

Khurshid Kamal Aziz, commonly known as K. K. Aziz, was a renowned Pakistani historian. During his illustrious career, he taught at many reputed universities home and abroad including University of Cambridge. He authored many books about history, the most famous of them being Murder of History. This book is primarily a critique of the school textbooks taught in Pakistan. Mr. Aziz has identified errors taught in history and tried to correct them. This is a must read book for every Pakistani, especially for those whose only source of history has been the school textbooks. Author has uncovered the major distortions of history in school textbooks and also provided a correct version of history.

Breaking the curfew: An overview

Emma Duncan is the current deputy editor of economist magazine. In late 1980s , She was Economist's correspondent in New Delhi. In 1988-89 she spent 8 months in Pakistan, visiting many places and meeting people from all walks of life. She compiled all her experiences and used them to write her maiden book, Breaking the Curfew. The book published in 1989 proved to be epic and received positive reviews across the board. I have read this book twice and found it completely absorbing and enriched with bits of information that we inquisitively want to know.

In Search of Solutions

Courtesy: The Laaltain Magazine

In Search of Solutions is the title of the autobiography of Baba-e-Balochistan Mir Ghaus Baksh Bizenjo, one of the greatest politicians in the history of Balochistan. The book is based on personal notes about his life and political career which were edited by his former political secretary, B. M. Kutty, and published in the form of a book in 2009. From the prolific political career of Mir Bizenjo which started in 1939 and continued for 50 years till his death in 1989, In Search of Solutions covers events from his childhood till the political developments of 1973. During his 50 years political career, he spent at least 10 years in prison. His autobiography not only provides an insight into various political issues, it also uncovers some very important facts which were previously unknown.

Extracts from "Jinnah of Pakistan"

Stanley Wolpert, the famous Indo-Pak historian published the most authentic biography of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah in 1984. This book was published after 15 years of research by Stanley Wolpert. He interviewed many people who were  relevant to Quaid-e-Azam including the last viceroy of India Lord Louis Mountbatten. It was also Stanley Wolpert, who in this book wrote the epic quote about Quaid-e-Azam:

A Journey to disillusionment: A review

Sardar Sherbaz Mazari is a veteran politician of Pakistan. He endeavoured to write the story of his political life in a book. He managed to author one of the most critically acclaimed autobiographies in 65 year old history of Pakistan. A journey to disillusionment, the title of the book, truly reflects the main premise of this book. Mr. Mazari has openly discussed how He has been disillusioned by Pakistani politicians. This book is fascinating from start to finish and absorbs the reader completely.

Pakistan - A Personal history: Overview

Date: 16th April 2012

“Pakistan – A personal History” is the autobiography of Imran Khan, in which he has told his story along with the story of Pakistan. He has written 5 books earlier but this one attracted more spotlight due to his sudden political rise. This book was launched in last months of 2011. An Urdu version of the book was launched this year a couple of months ago. This book not only provides an insight in the life on Imran Khan but also works as a window to look in his political philosophy and agenda.

Imran Khan was born in Lahore in 1952. He belongs from Niazi tribe of district Mianwali, which is located on border of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhaw. He studied in prestigious Aitcheson College Lahore. In 1971, through his family connections, He managed to make his test cricket debut against England in England at the age of 19. This match proved to be a failure for him. He joined Oxford University for further studies. After completion of his studies he joined Pakistan cricket team on merit. He became captain of the team in 1983 and led the team till 1992. Pakistan won the cricket world cup of 1992 under his captaincy. After retirement he successfully carried out a fund raising campaign and in 1994 he established Pakistan’s first cancer hospital. In 1996 he formed his political Party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), since then He has been actively involved in politics.

Our Lady of Alice Bhatti – An overview

Date: 11th April 2012

A case of Exploding mangoes was a master piece authored by Mohammad Hanif. It was so interesting and amazing that I was compelled to read his second fiction novel “Our lady of Alice Bhatti.” It proved no short of previous novel standards. It’s equally well written and has the ability to absorb the reader. I was fascinated by this book and I am compelled to share my positive views about it.

Previous novel of Mohammad Hanif was about general Zia-ul-Haq and corruption in Army. That had double attraction, one for portraying evil side of General Zia and secondly for the extraordinary style and expression used in writing that novel. “Our Lady of Alice Bhatti” on the contrary was not on as attractive topic as was the last novel. This novel is about a Christian girl and her life, as a nurse in a hospital, in the volatile Metropolis of Karachi. It was like ordinary story of a girl next door which is written in so appealing way that one just can’t ignore it as a normal story.

The Bear Trap - A review

Date: 6th February 2012

Brigadier Mohammad Yousaf was the chief of Afghan Bureau of ISI from October 1983 to August 1987. He was effectively the commander-in-chief of the Afghan guerillas fighting against Red army of USSR. In 1992 his book “The Bear trap” was published which is his account of the war. Major Adkins a reputed military author has assisted him in writing of this book. Many books have been written on Soviet-Afghan war but this book is the only one written by someone directly involved in the war at an influential position. This book is probably the most authentic documented work on that war. I have written this review of the book on its content not on the way of writing. I am not equipped to review the language and pattern the book is written. I will not call the war a Jehad and the fighters Mujahideen, I will call them Rebels or Guerillas. The history and revealed facts have proved that it was just an American proxy war and certainly not a Jehad.

This book contains 14 chapters Prologue and a postscript. In the prologue Mr. Yousaf has described the crash of President Zia’s plane. He has given his account of what had actually happen. He has stated some facts for the first time about the crash. He has negated the theory that sabotage was done in Bahawalpur airstrip, according to him it was most probably done on Chaklala Airbase Rawalpindi. He has hinted towards some of possible culprits but due to lack of evidence He has not pin pointed anyone as the confirmed culprit. He has also highlighted the apparent cover-up of the issue by American and Pakistani governments for mysterious reasons. His account of entire event is a daring one for someone who has served in an Intelligence Agency. Major Adkins has used his writing skills to write the whole account in a very expressive way and attractive manner.

Reconciliation: An Overview

Date: 10^th August 2011

“Reconciliation: Islam, Democracy and the west” is the title of last book authored by Benazir Bhutto. She completed this book days before her assassination which occurred on 27^th December 2007. This book is the collection of last words written by her. She was a charismatic leader who was denied another chance to rule Pakistan by hidden hands and she was removed from political scene forever.

Benazir Bhutto returned to Pakistan on 18^th October 2007 after an eight year exile. Upon her return she was greeted with two bomb blasts which struck her welcoming procession, which resulted in deaths of 179 People. She continued her political campaign for PPP. She was assassinated in Rawalpindi after addressing a gathering in Liaquat Bagh. A suicide blast occurred near blast proof vehicle but she died because of a sniper bullet. She received warnings and threats from all corners that she will be targeted in Pakistan. She took a bold move and returned to Pakistan ignoring security threats. Unfortunately for her the threats proved to be real. She was a brave woman and took a bold decision. Her book is a reflection of brave thoughts harboring her mind. The book let the people know that what she was thinking about future of Pakistan and that of entire Muslim world. It’s evident from the book that she was in a mood of reconciliation. She has thoroughly discussed her philosophy in this book.