M RAFIQUE GORAYA

LAHORE: Jamhoori Publications has published famed journalist, prolific writer, analyst and editor of widely read Urdu Digest Altaf Hassan Qureshi’s new absorbing book “Jang-e-September Ki Yadeen” that critics have described as a significant addition to the military literature of Pakistan.

The 376 page book is based on the reports filed by Altaf Hassan Qureshi from the war front of Chhamb Jaurian, Akhnoor, Khem Karan, Chowinda, Moona Bhao theatres of the 1965 War between Pakistan and India and subsequent in depth interviews with war heroes published in the Urdu Direst of that period. The book compiled by Qureshi Sahib’s grand son Eqan Hasan Qureshi has hit the book stalls.

The veteran journalist has devoted 50 pages of the book to highlight genesis of creation of Pakistan and the circumstances that led to the controversial but devastating war between the two young, under-developed and poor nations.

He said that Hindus and Muslims could not live together in a united India as Muslims were a separate nation, having their own culture, civilization, customs, literature, religion and way of life. Creation of Pakistan was the only solution for this centuries old communal rift.

Hindus and Muslims were two different and separate nations whose understanding of life was quite different from each other.

Talking to Business Recorder Altaf Hassan Qureshi said that the preservation of historic record of 1965 war was very important for future generations of Pakistan and posterity because it was a stern test of the people of the newly-created country who were brought together on one platform to build up nationhood on rock foundation as India confirmed that New Delhi had not accepted the creation.