Leekwal brings out special Number on Ajmal Baba´s life
[07.Mar.2010 - 22:44]Leekwal brings out special Number on Ajmal Baba´s life, political, literary services
By Sher Alam Shinwari
PESHAWAR: Noor-ul-Basher Naveed is known to us as an eminent prolific writer, playwright and poet but literary circles also give him an edge for editing and running a Pashto monthly magazine ´ Leekwal´ since very long which is indeed an Herculean task. Leekwal enjoys a widespread fame among literary circles for its high standards and quality. Noor-ul-. Basher Naveed in almost every Issue of the Leekwal pinpoints important problems whether political, literary or otherwise without any favour or fear and presents it to the readers.
This time Leekwal comes out with its special Issue on the life, struggle and political, literary and journalistic contributions of the Ajmal Khattak. Basher admits that Leekwal used to published a regular column ´Ajmalnama´ carrying Baba´s message on its pages in his life time but now it would carry Ajmal Baba´s own unpublished poetry, prose and speech pieces including specimen from Baba´s dairy. Leekwal in its editorial note points out some important facts which others find difficult to bring to light but Basher Naveed has the courage to say it anyway.
Ajmal Baba (1925-2010) immensely contributed to three fields- literature, politics and journalism and came under state torture and terror. In 1953, Ajmal Khattak was arrested during Qayyum Khan´s tenure; he was put in the lockups of Pabbi and Nizampur where he underwent such a severe mental torture that found perfect expression in his book –´Da Zah Paagal Wom´( I was mad). Another brunt that he had to face was ban on his poetry book ´Da Ghairat Chagha´ in 1958 both by Pakistan and Afghan governments. In 1970 when President Yahya Khan announced general elections Ajmal Khattak came forward to pass a very difficult test.
He confronted his own teacher Mualana Abdul Haq for National Assembly on Nowshera constituency on National Awami Party (NAP) ticket but he could not succeed. It is said that earlier the two sides had agreed that women would not be allowed to take part in polls but then the Mualana´s side secretly brought women to vote which resulted in Khattak´s defeat. Again when in 1973 notorious Liaqat Bagh firing case Ajmal Khattak went into exile to Afghanistan, many say that he was treated as state guest but contrary to the fact there too some hidden hands were bent upon giving him mental shocks. Many eyewitnesses of this mistreatment meted out to him in Kabul are still alive today while proofs in written are available.
In 1990 Ajmal Baba came back to Pakistan and was elected member of the National Assembly on ANP ticket and became senator in 1993. Though he was made president of the ANP after Wali Khan´s retirement from active politics but many could not digest his status and was soon dragged down into mire of meeting with President Pervez Musharraf. Ajmal Baba was allegedly declared as an ally to fascist and dictator “If it was a crime then who forced him to commit it” Naveed questions. In short, Ajmal Baba´s whole life was full of hard struggle, intrigues and political activism. Started his career as school teacher Ajmal Baba ended up with nationalist leader and revolutionary poet and during his twilight years he kept himself alive on writings. The magazine reiterates the pledge of Asfandyar Wali Khan in which he said that he Ajmal Baba was his teacher and had learnt many things from him and he would erect a mausoleum on the grave of his late mentor and leader as mark of respect for high immense contributions. Pashtuns expect that Asfandyar Wali Khan would definitely fulfill his promise. Writers in this special Number of the Leekwal have paid glowing tributes to a legendary revolutionary poet, nationalist leader and a sincere social reformer who stood for humility, love and poor masses.
Note: KhyberWatch is going to bring Monthly Leekwal online. The issues of January and February will be available to the KWN readers free of cost in few days- Sher Alam Shinwari
بېرته شاته
بېرته شاته