Q: What are you currently reading?

A: I am reading A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammad Hanif, a novel that presents a picture of the era of Gen Ziaul Haq from 1978 to 1988, when he was killed in a plane crash.

In the novel, the writer presents a picture of the martial law era. The role of army officials, police, the system of government are presented in a way that a student of history can recall the events.

The novel also discusses the criminal justice system – the Hudood Ordinance and its wrong implementation. The writer presents the story of a blind girl, Safia Bibi, who is a rape victim but failed to present witnesses of the rape and got sentenced to death under the Hudood Ordinance.

The book is interesting, as the writer tries to capture the attention of the reader with different stories. The writer also discusses the conspiracy theory about whether Ziaul Haq’s plane crash was a simple machinery failure or [because of] the mangoes loaded in the place at the end.

Q: Is there any book or author you read recently that you particularly enjoyed?

A: I read three or four books recently but I really enjoyed reading 40 Rules of Love by Turkish writer Elif Safak. The book is based on Sufism and talks about Hazrat Shams Tabrez and Maulana Jalaluddin Rumi.

The book brings us into the 13th century, when Rumi met his spiritual mentor Shams Tabrez. Their first encounter is interesting – Rumi was reading books near a pond, and Shams Tabrez asked him, ‘What are you doing?’ Rumi did not know Shams Tabrez and he replied, ‘You cannot understand it.’ Shams then threw all the books in the pond, and Rumi tried but could not save them. When he saw Rumi’s worry, Shams Tabrez recovered the books from the pond and they were dry, and when Rumi asked how, Shams responded that he would not understand.

After this, Shams Tabrez imparts spiritual teachings to Rumi and the main focus is to respect human beings and spread a message of love and peace. Sufis and saints present the true picture of Islam, and the writer discusses this in her book.

Q: Are there any classic books you couldn’t get through?

A: There are many things I wanted to read but could not. I wanted to read Qudratullah Shahab’s Shahabnama. I started it but have not completed it yet.

In the book, the writer explains the condition of Muslims in Kashmir under Dogra Raj and the mindset of Hindus. After reading books on partition and particularly Qudratullah Shahab’s Shahabnama, one can understand the two nation theory. In the Indian subcontinent, British, Hindus and Sikhs treated Muslims as third grade citizens and even told Muslims to use water after them. the writer narrates things in a simple but impressive manner and explains the poverty of the common Muslim. The writer tries to explain the behind-the-scene events, and explains the efforts of different heads of states and heads of governments for the country.

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

A: I read many books but I think Patras Bukhari was the best writer of the country and he produced the best work. He wrote little, but one cannot leave it unattended. I enjoyed reading Patras’ writing a lot.

Bajang Amad by Col Mohammad Khan is also a great one. The writer tells the story in such a humorous way that the reader cannot leave the book without completing it in one sitting. One can read the stories of the world war by an independent writer who went there to observe.

Shafiqur Rehman is also a great Urdu writer. He presented things in a simple way so that average citizens and intellectuals can understand his meaning without difficulty. I always like reading him carefully.

Q: What are you planning to read next?

A: I am planning to read the poetry of Asadullah Khan Ghalib and Faiz Ahmed Faiz. Although I read poetry, yet there is an urge to read the poetry of love by both great poets. I remained busy with professional work and other books, and failed to find time to read the poetry of Ghalib as thoroughly as it requires.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2017