Q: Which books are you currently reading?

A: I am reading two non-fiction books: Anjuman Taraqipasand Musannafin Pakistan Mein by Fateh Mohammad Malik, and Tehzibi Islam: Ibne Arabi aur Pass-i-Jadidiyyat by Dr Iqbal Afaqi. I have an interest in history which is why I am reading these books.

The Progressive Writers Association (PWA) was banned in Pakistan by Gen Ayub Khan for its communist leaning. Mr Malik, who emerged as a progressive writer during Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto’s era, has analysed the PWA in his book and the political role of Sajjad Zaheer and other communist progressives. His analysis is based on the two-nation theory and Iqbal’s thoughts. Dr Afaqi has translated some of Ibn Arabi’s work in his book and sketches Ibn Arabi’s concept of Islam on the basis of post-modernism.

I am also reading a book of poems, Quetta Mein Khazan by Faisal Rehan, which focuses on the changing scenario of Balochistan during the last 10 years and how it has become a victim of terrorism. I have also started Mera Pakistani Safarnama by Canadian author Sukhinder Singh, in which he has explained Pakistan the way he saw it. I am just about to complete Mirwah ki Ratein by Rafaqat Hayat.

I usually read three or four books at a time, and they are mostly of various kinds – fiction, poetry and others – and I read them at different times throughout the day.

Q: Do you prefer fiction to non-fiction?

A: Non-fiction pleases my logical mind but reading fiction elevates me aesthetically. It always becomes a different experience for me. Especially as a critic, the multidisciplinary study of non-fiction is very important to understand fiction. It all seems improper without sufficient knowledge of history, politics, economics, sociology, culture, psychology, philosophy and language with different concepts and thoughts. Fiction keeps many glimpses and particles of history and socio-political scenarios in itself.

Q: What is the last book that you particularly enjoyed reading?

A: I have been reading books by Hamza Alvi and Dr Mubarak Ali. Both are progressive and Marxist writers and they have reflected upon Pakistani history and society through the eye of a leftist. Hamza Alvi’s Pakistani Ashrafiya, Fauj aur Naukar Shahi talks about civil-military bureaucracy’s role in Pakistan’s politics. They have been the main players right from the beginning of Pakistan up till now. Dr Mubarak Ali’s Taareekh Aur Danishwar talks about the role of intellectuals in our society. Intellectuals have always remained controversial in Pakistan. Now they have been replaced by journalists and anchorpersons. Dr Mubarak has explained the various types of intellectuals and what roles they have had played from the Mughal era to present times. But the novel by popular writer Khushwant Singh, Delhi, was my favourite. It was a fabulous experience to read it; in the tradition of historical novel writing it has unique technique and expression.

Q: Do you think there is a great Pakistani novel?

A: We Pakistanis have no stamina for long writings and contemplation. So the tradition of novel writing is very weak, compared to poetry or short story writing in Pakistan. No doubt there is Mirza At’har Beg, one of the towering living novelists, but Mustansar Hussain Tarar has won a solid identity and respect in the Urdu world.

Due to our limited inheritance of novels there is no cause of any confusion for the selection and categorisation of great novels. I have always considered Urdu novels great: first, Aag Ka Darya by Quratulain Haider, second Udaas Naslein by Abdullah Hussain and third, Raakh by Mustansar Hussain Tarar.

Raakh begins a little before the division of India and takes the reader on a journey of the changing scenario in Pakistan over the years.

Quratulain Haider’s Aag Ka Darya starts with the ancient Indo-Pak civilisation and how it ended with partition. In Pakistan there is a mindset that never accepts Aag Ka Darya as a Pakistani novel due to Quratulain Haider’s migration to India, but it was written in Pakistan and was very popular as well. The other two novels were the result of this great novel because at that time Urdu literature had no model like Aag Ka Darya.

Udaas Naslein starts off with life during the colonial era and ends on partition.

These novels have a tremendous vision, horizon, a detailed expression of profound imagination and a novelty of point of view. But with such qualities, Aag Ka Darya comes out at the top in comparison.

Q: What are you planning to read next?

A: I recently received three translations as gifts from friends, which include Arshad Waheed’s Baqa-i-Davam, a translation of Milan Kundera’s Immortality and a translation of Jose Saramago’s Blindness by Ahmed Mushtaq.

Milan Kundera is a great novelist; has written less but done tremendous work. His book Immortality revolves around France and the Cold War Europe. Jose Saramago is a Nobel Prize winning Portuguese writer and his technique and style of writing novel is unique. His book Blindness depicts a blind society, oblivious to what is happening around it. The other is Anwer Sen Roy’s translation New York Ke Leeye Aik Qabr Aur Dusri Nazmein. Ahmed Ijaz has also gifted me his non-fiction book, Adam Ravadari, Taleem Aur Samaj.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2016