‘ Pakistan , Unfinished Journey to Freedom’ Launched in Granite Bay
By By Ras Hafiz Siddiqui
Pictures above: Glimpses of the book-launching ceremony
Dr. Manzooruddin Ahmed, former Vice-Chancellor of Karachi University, has written and contributed to a number of books. His most recent work in Urdu, co-authored with Dr. Muhammad Younus Qadri titled “Pakistan, Azadi Ka Natamam Safar,” was launched here in the United States on the eve of the Quaid’s birthday, December 25 th, in the Sacramento, California suburb of Granite Bay at the home of his daughter Fouzia and her husband Dr. Aslam Godil.
On this rather cool Christmas Day here, close to a hundred people gathered to listen to Dr. Sahib and others, including two ladies from this area, who had already read the book and were able to present their views on what could best be described as an attempt to understand Pakistan during the gravest crisis facing the country since 1971.
Dr. Ahmed needs to be read because he brings to his books several decades of experience and some very formidable academic credentials. Born in Sultanpur (UP) in India, Dr. Ahmed completed his initial graduation and a Master of Diplomacy/International Affairs from Allahbad University in 1949 and a PhD in Political Science from Columbia University, New York in 1960. Dr. Ahmed was also a teacher at Columbia including a stint as the Quaid-i-Azam distinguished Professor of Political Science and Director Pakistan Center/Southern Asian Institute at the same institution, occupying the Pakistan Chair (1976 to 1979) revived by Prime Minister Z.A. Bhutto during a 1973 visit to the US (after its suspension during the 1965 Indo-Pak conflict).
Now to the event itself: After the Qur’anic recitation, emcee for the event Ruksana Riaz proceeded to make the necessary introductions to the gathering. Almost the entire program was conducted in Urdu and so if anything is lost in translation here; this writer needs to be pardoned.
Not known to some of us before was Dr. Manzooruddin’s Ahmed’s stay in Dacca and the fact that he is working on another book in English to be completed soon, named “ Pakistan in Transition, From Colonialism to Independence” with just two more chapters left to write.
Rukhsana Sahiba was once herself Secretary of the Karachi University Students Union and presented her own views on “ Pakistan, Azadi Ka Natamam Safar” which she found so interesting that she read it in just two days. She said that she had learnt a great deal from the book and encouraged its widespread distribution.
Next, since Dr. Zafar Afaq Ansari could not make it from Malaysia, Dr. Waheed Uddin (the author’s nephew), Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Mississippi , filled in by presenting Dr. Ansari’s views. He quoted Faiz Sahib’s lines from his work “Subhe Azadi” and added that Pakistan is often viewed through both religion and secularism but more accurately it is a mixture of both. Also highlighted from the book were the issues of Federation, Provincial Autonomy, population growth, poverty and lawlessness.
Mrs. Durriya Syed next presented her own thoughts. Speaking confidently comes naturally to Durriya Sahiba since she is possibly the most recognized Pakistani woman in a leadership role in the Sacramento area. Durriya received some of her education at Karachi University and later went on to study at UC Berkeley. She described Dr. Manzooruddin’s latest book as a work of a superb academic that many people could benefit from. She said that most of us here at the gathering had been in the US for at least a quarter of a century and many had forgotten what the real Pakistan was like.
She added that we go there, attend family events and shop and do not bother to look deeper. She said that this book takes one through our history and as a result prepares us for the future.
Next, Dr. Mohammad Hamid Kamal Narvi, retired Professor of Urdu at the Islamia College, presented his views and a critique of the book. He said that not enough emphasis had been placed on former East Pakistan and the formation of Bangladesh. He also said that this important work was written for Pakistanis and is for those well versed in the Urdu language, but for a bigger impact it needs to be discussed thoroughly via various other media channels.
Finally, Dr. Manzooruddin Ahmed himself spoke. He said that many books had already been written on Pakistan and India and that he had tried not to duplicate such efforts. He pointed out that Pakistan’s creation was not simply a Hindu-Muslim divide problem but that economics had a big role in the partittion of 1947. He spoke of the weakness of the emerging middle classes within the colonial model and the role of five elements that is not fully emphasized: 1) Tribalism 2), Feudalism, 3) The Ulema, 4) Bureaucracy and 5) Military. He said that bureaucracy and military were the product of British colonialism and unfortunately tribalism-feudalism did not diminish enough in Pakistan . On the religious schools of thought led by the Ulema he said that there were two types, real Islamic scholars and the sectarian-based groups that have emerged. He said that due to varying degrees of these five elements, the changes that were promised to the common people of Pakistan were never delivered. He added that democracy in name alone was not enough and since 1947, Pakistan has often taken one step forward and two steps backwards.
He added that common Pakistanis got their independence but not freedom. He said that on this day of the Quaid-i-Azam’s birthday the spirit that created Pakistan needs to be revived and that same type of movement can save the country. He also said that true democracy is the need of the time but that the people (Awam) are weak but need to be supported and provincial rights. He concluded that the elite have kept the country in confusion and that outside elements can take advantage of the current crisis situation. (“ Pakistan , Azadi Ka Natamam Safar”: Publisher "Maktaba-e-Al Haq Karachi ", Please contact Fouziagodil@yahoo.com to obtain a copy)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
