Professor Aafaq Siddiqui is a well-known poet, critic, researcher, educationist and feature writer as well as translator. He has more than 50 books to his credit.
The book under review "Kon Akhter Hamid Khan" is his latest work on Akhter Hamid Khan--a renowned novelist, sketch writer, essayist and social worker. He also worked for freedom of Pakistan as a Khaksar. He was very close to Allama Mashriqi but due to difference of some opinions from Allama Mashriqi's ideology he left Khaksar Tahreek.
Akhter Hamid Khan has four books to his credit. His first book published under the title of "Chand Khakay", second is "Chand Buz'rg" the third being "Ganga Jamni Maidan." He has also written his autobiography under the title of "Meri Nakam Zindagi."
Professor Aafaq Siddiqi in "Kon Akhter Hamid Khan" has shown his concerted efforts to collect a lot of information about Akhter Hamid Khan's life, social works and literary services. He has assembled all analytical essays, reviews and articles written on Akhter Hamid Khan and his novel, literary sketches and writes-up. This book is no doubt a research-like effort, which would be applauded by the litterateurs and critics.
The author has not only collected and reproduced all these materials with great deal in the book under review but has given his own comments on all reviews and articles which have been included in the book. The author's comments are, no doubt, good examples of impartiality.
There are also some essays and reviews written on the novel "Ganga Jamni Maidan" of Akhter Hamid Khan by the various penmen. The author also gave his critical opinions on these writings pinpointing more new angles in these analytical essays. Prof Aafaq has thrown light on personal life of Akhter Hamid Khan, with reference to his relations and behaviour with his family members, relatives, friends as well as general people. He also gave his views in reference to his involvement with Khaksar Tehreek of Allama Mashriqi. After analysing the behaviour and attitudes of Akhter Hamid Khan with others, the author finds him a man of good manners, full of sympathies and co-operative. Akhter Hamid Khan in his autobiography says that "I was determined to change the world at the age of 18 years but now at the age of 78 years I am busy to change myself." No doubt that Akhter Hamid Khan of yesteryear is no more. He has massively changed himself. The present day's Akhter Hamid is more kind, more experienced and scholarly keeps more higher status.
Commenting on Akhter Hamid Khan's sketch-writing Dr Jamil Jalibi former Vice Chancellor of Karachi University opines that Akhter Hamid Khan has an ability to observe persons and their behaviours.
I have had the privilege of having study of Akhter Hamid Khan's all four books. I find him a straightforward man in his sketches-a fact-finder and true writer-without feeling of fear and reverence. His way of expression i.e. style of writing is to some extent different and seminal. The author of this book Prof Aafaq Siddiqi has tried his best to highlight all facets of Akhter Hamid Khan's life and works. It is hoped that this book will be appreciated by the writers, critics and readers.
Author: Prof Aafaq Siddiqui
Publisher: Rahmat Ali Book Binding Karachi
Pages: 348
Price: Rs 200