Arts Council of Pakistan hosted a grand launch for renowned novelist and broadcaster Gul Bano’s latest book, Nawisht-e-Gul, at the Haseena Moin Hall. The event was presided over by Dr. Iqbal Mohsin, with Ehtesham Arshad Nizami as the chief guest, and brought together prominent literary personalities to celebrate Gul Bano’s literary achievements. The evening opened with the recitation of the Quran by Hamid Mahmood Hussaini, followed by a soulful Naat by Waqas Qureshi. Moderated by Hamid Islam Khan, the event featured thought-provoking speeches by distinguished guests including Akhlaq Ahmed, Iqbal A. Rehman, Tabish Qureshi, and Syed Masroor Ali, each offering insights into the themes and impact of Nawisht-e-Gul. Dr. Iqbal Mohsin described the book as an outpouring of Gul Bano’s soul, tackling themes like childhood, natural disasters, and climate change with realism and authenticity.
He praised her for capturing societal truths with heartfelt expression. Iqbal A. Rehman referred to the book as the “language of flowers,” emphasizing its deep and thought-provoking narratives. He highlighted its focus on societal issues, particularly the emotional nuances of motherhood woven throughout the book’s chapters. Akhlaq Ahmed shared his initial impression of the book as fiction but later discovered its diverse content, ranging from travelogues to essays. He particularly appreciated Gul Bano’s vivid portrayal of Jacobabad.
Ehtesham Arshad Nizami compared creating a book to raising a child, applauding Gul Bano’s educational, well-researched, and reflective writing. Gul Bano expressed gratitude to her children, crediting their love as a source of strength. She revealed that the book compiles writings she once doubted were worthy of publication, but which have now been brought together to form a cohesive and powerful narrative.
Shakeel Khan, the Arts Council’s Admin Director, commended Gul Bano’s courage in sharing her inner voice and for her dedication to promoting the arts. Tabish Qureshi, Gul Bano’s son, spoke with pride about his mother’s hard work on the book, while Syed Masroor Ali lauded her for exposing societal suffering and apathy, giving a voice to those silenced by neglect. The event concluded with a heartfelt vote of thanks by Taabeer Aghai, acknowledging the efforts of everyone who contributed to the successful launch of Nawisht-e-Gul.
