BOOK REVIEW: 'Doctor Feroz Ahmed Key Mazameen'

The articles, essays, editorials and interviews contained in the book are all written in Urdu by Dr Feroz Ahmed (he wrote a lot more in English). I don't know who found whom, Feroz or Nadira, but know for sure that Feroz was a lucky man to have Nadira as wife.
Nadira provided every opportunity to Feroz to pursue his intellectual and political activities and helped him in maintaining and preserving his writings. And finally helped Dr Jaffar in producing this collection. Feroz was initially trained in the Natural Sciences. Later on, he applied those scientific methods in understanding and analysing human society. Whatever issue he takes up, his approach is logical and uses the facts and ideas as data for analysis and drawing conclusions. The book stands a witness to it.
It is divided into four parts: 1 - Politics 2 - Economics 3 - International situation and events 4 - Miscellaneous. It has been made more meaningful by putting the writings in chronological order.
In the first part, there are 71 articles covering almost all the aspects of national life. In addition there are three appendices, namely: The programme of the National Democratic Alliance. An interview with Afzal Bangah that there should be a strong Pakistan, rather than a strong centre.
In the second section, there are 17 articles encompassing economic issues, and other articles such as May Day and our responsibilities, in support of the struggle of shipyard workers and Guddo Barrage farm workers (Haries) being turned into Red Indians. The third part has 50 essays dealing with subjects like, Why disarmament? what is Zionism?, How the Afghan revolution would have an impact on the Islamic world, Basic Human Rights and other important issues.
The fourth and last section contains five articles on varying subjects. The perusal of the list shows it contains a handsome wealth of knowledge. It does not mean that all that is before you, in black and white, you have to accept as the only truth, for there is no absolute truth anywhere - you may, and have every right to, differ but you have to be logical and your ideas must be substantiated. The production of the book, particularly the paper and title by Abro, are excellent. The book, in present form, is useful for libraries and research institutions. But looking at the bulk and price, I would have preferred to have it in three books, as it would be easy to handle and within the reach of the low-income group.

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Book:                                   Doctor Feroz Ahmed Key Mazameen

Compiled & Edited by:                              Dr Syed Jaffar Ahmed

Publisher:                 Pakistan Study Centre, University of Karachi

Pages:                                                              727

Price:                                                         Rs 800/-

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