ISLAMABAD - A revolutionary writer Manto remained active against tyranny and ideological confinement, remarked Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik while presiding over the ceremony on legendary short story writer Saadat Hassan Manto’s 100th birthday arranged by Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL).
Dr Anwaar Ahmed was the chief guest on the occasion. Prof Ahmed Javed, Nelofar Iqbal, Muhammad Hameed Shahid, Hameed Qaiser and Humaira Ishfaq expressed their views. Kamran Kazmi conducted the proceedings of this ceremony that followed cake cutting also on the occasion.
Prof Fateh Muhammad Malik said that unlike his both contemporaries, he remained committed to his humorist ideology and extract from his personal experience wisdom of his stories by power club for the promotion of their political agenda.
Abdul Hameed, Chairman PAL, thanked the guests and said that PAL is planning to organise Manto Festival in September 2012 and is committed to making this event memorable. Writers from SAARC Countries will be invited in the International Conference on Manto along with major writers from all over country. A book fair is also being a major event of Manto Festival in which especially the books on Manto would be displayed for sale on concessional prices. Manto’s stories will be dramatizing and staged on daily basis during the event. Major writers and dignities will render Manto’s writings as a continuous activity in the Manto Festival.
Dr Anwar Ahmed said, “We must think why major writers like Manto, Faiz, Daaman, Jalib, Sheikh Ayaz, Gul Khan Naseer and Ajmal Khattak are kept away from our educational and other institution. How can we reflect our soft image in the world without recognising the ideology of these writers?”
Prof Ahmed Javed said that Manto was a political short story writer. He focused on humanity and the miseries of common people in his story. We found an emphasis on bringing both nations close to each other. He was against the tyrannical and oppressive policies of America. His stories show his deep understanding about human psychology.
Muhammad Hameed Shahid said that Manto raised basic questions regarding the literature and human situations in both countries, Pakistan and India. He was a true Pakistani, which is the main reason of his concern.