Mehmood Sham’s autobiography ‘Sham Bakhair’ launched

The Arts Council of Pakistan held a launch ceremony for writer and journalist Mehmood Sham’s autobiography ‘Sham Bakhair’ (Good Evening) on Thursday.

President Akhuwat Foundation Dr Amjad Saqib was the special guest at the book launching ceremony. The ceremony was attended by Dr Syed Jafar Ahmed, Syed Sarmad Ali, Aftab Memon, Muhammad Salim Baig, Zeba Bakhtiyar, Ishtiaq Baig, and Mehnaz Hasan Zaidi.

During the event, there were musical performances, and video messages from President Maulana Azad University, Jodhpur, Prof Akhtarul Wasey, and renowned poetess Dr Amber Aabid.

In the ceremony, 12-year-old Arush Fatima recited excerpts from the book ‘Sham Bakhair’. Aabid from India said her circumstances are such that her body is in the beloved land of Hindustan, and her spirit is at the event.

She said that it is said that words are a means of expression. “I am trying to encapsulate a personality in words -- a renowned figure in the world of knowledge and literature,” she said, adding that in every aspect, Sham is excellent. He is a literary soldier, a kind-hearted human being.

She said that there are so many facets to his personality that it’s challenging for her to decide which aspects to highlight. “You appear to talk about the psychology of children. The release of ‘Sham Bakhair’ was essential for the public eye,” she said.

This book, she said, has encapsulated an era in the world of knowledge and literature. “It will become a valuable asset and through it our future generations will benefit.”

President Arts Council Muhammad Ahmed Shah extended his gratitude to Sham. He said that Sham’s written work is not just a personal account but also a narrative of Pakistan. Since the country gained independence, he has been observing its journey.

“A great writer, a profound journalist, a thoughtful individual -- one always pens down what he has witnessed in his life,” he said, adding that Sham in his autobiography has reported amidst the gunfire, evolving with the advancements in science, transitioning from a cultured era to the age of research.

That era is rapidly approaching. “Sham Ji is an exceptional person, seeking advice from him was a norm for even the prominent politicians. Whenever I get the opportunity, I’ll arrange a gathering with Sham,” he said.

Managing Director Jang Media Group Sarmad Ali said that Sham is a mentor to all of them. “There is a relation of love with Sham,” he said, adding that they have spent 16 years with Sham, and it feels like no time has passed. The ideas that Sham had, he said, were very impactful, and they tried to support him financially so that he could continue bringing such ideas.

Wasey said that Mahmood Sham is a prominent figure among Urdu speakers. “I am delighted today with his new book that has been published,” he said, adding that the book was phenomenal. “I hope that his book will essentially spread a message of love in both countries openly. I hope Mahmood Sham continues to do such work with his words,” he said.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sham said that every generation of the nation has seen martial law. We, those who have seen eight decades of Pakistan, he said, have seen two to three martial laws in our youth and have experienced its remnants in old age. He said that people in Pakistan have been living in a state of drama forever. “Be the curtain up or down, the drama continues,” he said.