Here is a collection of character sketches published under the title Yadgar-i-Zamana Hain Jo Loug. The author, Prof Anwar Ahmed, has an apology to make. Referring to an objection that the book suffers from too much of local colour he says, `I can`t help it. Multan is very much with me. It has gone deep down in me.`
This apology appears very meaningful to me. I started reading the book with a purpose in view. I wanted to know how far this book or these sketches carry with them the spirit of the age-old city known to us as Multan. One fact is very obvious.

Most of the personalities selected to be portrayed here belong to Multan, though they all are not
necessarily sons of the Multani soil. As seen from the eyes of Prof Anwar, they are the people who represent the cultural life of Multan.

Each of them appears to be in possession of some good qualities. When seen collectively, these portraits bring before us a scene of intellectual life in Multan as the author has seen and understood it. Among the non-Multanis in this list is Prof Farman Fatehpuri.

Prof Anwar has paid due tribute to all those who have been accommodated in this gallery of portraits. But if a few portraits stand distinguished, it is because of the fact that those personalities inspired the writer more than the others.
Also, because of their peculiar qualities, they are more tempting for a sketch writer. And here the sketch writer is in search of personalities who in carry with them the signature of Multan. In fact cities with long history behind them carry some kind of aroma peculiar to them.

And those cities are not generous enough to bestow it upon every soul. Only a few souls are deemed fit for this honour.

I would like to refer here to Ashraf Suboohi`s collection of character sketches titled Dilli Ki Chund Ajeeb Hastian.
His seniors, while writing on Delhi, had concentrated on the Mughal princes and princesses as the acme of Delhi`s culture. On the other hand, he, while wandering in the streets of Delhi, spotted among the commoners such characters as Ghumi Kababi, Mitthoo Bhatyara, Ganjay Nahariwala and found them to personify all that Dilli is known for.

Prof Anwar has discovered this quality in the personality of Arshad Multani. As portrayed by him, Arshad Multani possesses the very human virtues which make Multan what it is.

And in the august company of Multani is another personality who seems to have identified completely with this city. He is Mirza Ibn-i-Hanif who has been designated by Prof Anwar as Kharabon Ka Muharam-i-Raz, that is a man who knows the ruins in an intimate way.

With his love for what is ancient and primitive, he is seen wondering in the ancient ruins of Multan. Yet, to our surprise, Prof Anwar reveals that this man was not born in Multan. So he compensates for this deficiency by identifying himself completely with the land. Ibn-i-Hanif has inspired the author so much that probably the best character sketch included in this volume is his.

The other personalities who have inspired Prof Anwar are Prof Khalil Siddiqi, Mehr Gul Mohammad and his friend Asghar Nadeem Syed whom he likes to call hamara Pappu.

But if he is really in search of personalities who represent Multan he will have to come out of the limited circle of college teachers and intellectuals.

I have already cited the example of Ashraf Suboohi who turned away from the Red Fort and from his own social class to wonder into the lanes of old Delhi to find genuine Dilliwallas.

The spirit of a city doesn`t always like to express itself in the personalities of the elite. Often it turns away from them, choosing instead to be expressed in the personalities of the lowly and the downtrodden.