Zubair Qureshi
Pakistan’s well-known Urdu story writer and former Managing Director (MD) of the National Book Foundation (NBF) Mazharul Islam on Monday reiterated his faith that only those stories survive that make you relate with some person, event or period of time. “These are in fact love stories despite the fact there is no mention of love,” said he.
Mazhar was giving his presidential address at the launching ceremony of “Chhatri-numa Kahanyan” (Umbrella-like stories) a collection of some 15 stories by Shoaib Khaliq whose recognition is more of a TV drama writer than short story writer.
Literary organization Inharaf in collaboration with WAFI International had organized the book launch at the National Language Promotion Department (NLP). Director General of the NLPD Dr Iftikhar Arif also addressed the ceremony. Among those who spoke on salient features of the book included eminent professor of Urdu and writer Dr Najeeba Arif, Dr Nawazish Ali, Iqbal Faheem Jozi, Dr Ravish Nadeem, Salahuddin Darvesh and Muneer Fayaz.
