Hasan Akhtar’s Autobiography Is Essentially a Biography of the Pakistan Movement: Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar

ISLAMABAD (City Reporter): A book launch ceremony for “Masnavi Peer Changi”, authored by renowned journalist, prominent activist of the Pakistan Movement, intellectual, and diplomat Hasan Akhtar Gardizi, was organized by the Pakistan Cultural Forum, Islamabad, at the Institute for Promotion of National Language, Islamabad.

The ceremony formally began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem.

Presiding over the ceremony, Sardar Masood Hussain said that quality books add to the intellectual wealth of any society. He said Hasan Akhtar Gardizi’s work was a valuable addition to Urdu literature and would help encourage the younger generation to develop a habit of reading.

He further said that the book was a record of Hasan Akhtar Gardizi’s life, in which he had written not only about the Pakistan Movement but also about his career as a journalist.

“Hasan Akhtar spent his entire life serving Pakistan. He was a warm-hearted, soft-spoken person who believed in spreading affection and goodwill,” he said.

Guest of honour Professor Dr. Muhammad Saleem Mazhar said that the Institute for Promotion of National Language had been continuously working to promote the intellectual, literary, research and cultural contributions of writers as well as the national language Urdu.

He said such events not only introduce quality books to readers but also strengthen literary dialogue.

“Hasan Akhtar Gardizi’s autobiography is, in fact, a biography of the Pakistan Movement. It reflects both the Pakistan Movement and the struggles of his own life,” Dr. Mazhar said.

He expressed hope that the book would help meet the academic and research needs of readers, researchers, and people associated with literature.

Afzal Butt, President of the All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Federation, said that bringing together Hasan Akhtar Gardizi’s lost and scattered writings and publishing them in book form was a remarkable achievement by his brother.

He said that Hasan Akhtar’s interviews with important personalities should also be compiled and published.

“Hasan Akhtar’s book will provide valuable guidance to journalists of today. It gives us an insight into the challenges and circumstances he faced during his professional career,” Butt said.

Ejaz Shafiq Gilani said Hasan Gardizi was born in Tehsil Nurpur, District Kangra, an area that did not become part of Pakistan, but Hasan Akhtar Gardizi himself became an integral part of Pakistan and served the country with complete dedication.

He said Hasan Akhtar was not only a person with bright eyes but also a progressive thinker.

Speaking on the occasion, Hasan Akhtar Gardizi’s brother, Syed Hasan Javed Gardizi, said his brother had held a position equivalent to that of a father in his life.

“He was aware of his professional responsibilities and was a brave, fearless, honest and highly dutiful person. I learned a great deal from him,” he said.

He added that Hasan Gardizi would have been extremely happy to see the construction of the Metro track in Islamabad and the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

Syed Musa Hasan Gardizi, grandson of Hasan Gardizi’s brother, said that all the senior members of his family were present at the gathering.

“Today, I can see that even after the passing of Akhtar Dada, his legacy and influence continue to spread and grow,” he said.

Chairman of the Pakistan Cultural Forum, Zafar Bakhtawari, delivered the welcome address and thanked the guests for attending the ceremony.

He said Hasan Akhtar Gardizi’s book was an eyewitness account of the freedom struggle during 1945, 1946 and 1947 and presented his account of the history of the Pakistan Movement.

He said Hasan Akhtar had worked with several prominent personalities and had also interviewed them.

“Throughout his life, Hasan Akhtar upheld the dignity and sanctity of the written word,” Bakhtawari said.

A large number of Hasan Akhtar Gardizi’s relatives, writers, poets, intellectuals, journalists, teachers, students, and literature enthusiasts attended the ceremony.

At the conclusion of the event, copies of Hasan Akhtar Gardizi’s book were presented to participants as gifts. The guests were subsequently served tea.