More thana collection of poetry

LAHORE
‘The Hour of Decline’, a book of verses in English by Fakhar Zaman, a prolific writer, poet, scholar and World Punjabi Congress Chairman, is more of a commentary by veteran politician and intellectual on the overall decline in every field of life in our country.
Fakhar Zaman is a well-known entity in the world of literature as well as politics. He has spent his prime of life, youth and middle age in the corridors of power for quite a long time in the times of political giants like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. He is a sensitive and a sensible man by nature and does not except status quo.
His logical mind and curious nature keeps pounding on his brain for deeper and realistic answers to the questions require logical answers. He has been writing prose and poetry for over five decades.
He has been a witness and a victim to Gen Ziaul Haq’s Martial Law, which he refers to as the ‘Dark Age’. A born survivor by instinct and a stubborn child by nature, Fakhar never compromised nor budged under any circumstances whatsoever.
Thus ‘The Hour of Decline’ is a transformation of his feelings and observations, coupled with his undying optimism for better days for his beloved Pakistan. It is a well-written compilation of his English poetry and reflects his command over foreign language with the same ease as he would feel when righting his Punjabi poetry in Punjab. Simple, short yet highly symbolic poems create a string of images, images which come into being out of the thoughtfully chosen words by Fakhar to send a message to his reader though symbols.
Fakhar is a promoter of positivism, optimism and productivity yet he prefers to convey the ground realities to his readers in a very subtle, amusing as well as satirical manner through his verses in ‘The Hour of Decline’, a book, well-received and admired by the fans of Fakhar Zaman in general and those who are much concerned about the affairs of Pakistan in particular. This collection of poetry is more than just a book of poetry but also a political statement by a seasoned politician and a highly acclaimed intellectual.