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Book titled, Loag Dar Loag, by Farrukh Sohail Goindi was launched at a hotel on Edgerton Road on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, human rights activist I.A. Rehman said Mr Goindi had his basic identity in his political activism and that he loved humanity and had expressed this love through his writings.

“The book gave a wonderful insight into the period from 1969 to 1975. What role leaders and other important personalities played in the annals of history had been well described in the book,” he said.

Mentioning personalities such as Asma Jahangir, Madeeha Gauhar, Hanif Ramay and Dr Anwar Sajjad while peeping through the history was something that made the book worth reading, he added.

Veteran journalist Hamid Mir said many forgotten personalities were also mentioned in the book such as Rao Rasheed, Haji Mumtaz Kahloon and Mehmood Mirza. He also mentioned the first book, Mera Lahoo, written by Goindi, saying the writer had honestly given facts in the book.

Farooq Tariq from Awami Workers Party (AWP) said the book was a detailed insight into the personalities while keeping in view the historical background of situations.

“Through this book, the writer had tried to keep alive the norms and values of the Left.”

Mr Tariq announced that he and Mr Goindi would soon hold a big gathering at Mochi Gate, inviting labourers and the workers where they would make speeches.

Hussain Naqi said Goindi was a wonderful, well-informed person who had his own identity. “The book is of great substance and it revealed how the people and the world react to different situations.”

Asif Khan, a close friend of Mr Goindi, recalled the good old days when they used to live at Sargodah, saying that they both had joined politics of the Left together. He said the book was quite informative and it imparted knowledge about different personalities.

Writer Fakhar Zaman said his and Goindi’s ideology was the same and he played a big role in holding Punjabi conferences.

Politician Mehnaz Rafi said the writer was a born leftist and he loved humanity. She recalled the days when she and Goindi struggled hard against the dictatorship of Gen Ziaul Haq.

Sardar Aseff Ahmed Ali and Qasim Ali Shah also spoke.

Farrukh Suhail Goindi thanked all the guests who had come to attend the launch. He shared with the audience different periods of his struggle and how he had interaction with great and important personalities along with common men.

The launch was organised by Jumhoori Publications. The event was conducted by Maryam Farhan.

Originally published in Dawn, April 28th, 2019