Dr Ehtisham's Book launch in London

The meeting to 'launch' Dr Syed Akhtar Ehtisham's book, "A Medical Doctor Examines Life on Three Continents-A Pakistani view" was held by The Pakistan Society of The University of London School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) on January 09, 2009.

Urooj Ismail President of the Pakistan society SOAS started the proceedings by requesting Professor Amin Mughal, a renowned scholar and writer to preside over the session. Professor Mughal invited Dr Ehtisham to make a presentation of his book. Dr Ehtisham offered a brief survey of his experiences in the three continents Asia, Europe and North America, narrated in the book. He also read extracts from the chapters on Society in Pre-Partition India and The Student's movement in Pakistan. Dr Ehtisham offered comments on health services in the UK, Canada and the USA. He described the changes in health and social services offered in Britain in 1965-1972, with those available in 2001-2002, and the extent to which they had been curtailed.

Professor Mughal offered his own comments on the society, politics and the changes wrought therein, in the last several decades.

A lively question-answer session followed. Most of the queries related to the reasons why Pakistan was in such a sorry state. Dr Ehtisham thought that reasons for the different paths taken by India and Pakistan should be sought in the difference in the class character of the Indian National Congress (Supported by the capitalist class) and the Muslim League (supported by the feudal class), as well as the difference in class character of East Pakistan (petit bourgeoisie), and West Pakistan (feudal). India and East Pakistan abolished the feudal system in 1948, while it had survived, even thrived in West Pakistan.

Some among the audience disagreed, and thought that the feudal system continued to exist in India, in a modified form, especially in Rajasthan.

Professor Mughal making concluding remarks added that besides the Muslim feudal class, Muslim clerical class had also supported the Pakistan movement and were with the feudal class, major beneficiaries of the partition of India.

Renowned poet and play writer Mr Mazhar Tirmizi, BBC Urdu producer Mr Suqlain Imam, Daily Dawn UK correspondent Mr Zia-ud-Din and well-known plastic surgeon and former leader of National Students Federation Dr Umar Draz Khan were also among the participants.

After the formal session ended, discussion continued in the Student's cafeteria till late night.