Growing Up Red

Mr. Hashmi,
I had the honor of meeting your grandfather at least on three occasions along with some friends in Karachi and Lahore after he came back from Beirut. I did have a sip with him in one mehfil, a highlight of my life.

Are you aware of the fact that he was made a member of the Pakistan Communist Party after he came back from Beirut? Despite being known as the most famous communist in Pakistan he was never a member of the communist party all those years.

Yasser Arafat hired him in Beirut after it was felt that he would be arrested by Zia ulHaq and reportedly, the Russian Communist Party recommended him to Yasser Arafat and Al-Fateh. For a brief period, he was very close to Yasser Arafat and was advising him on political matters.

This is a well written piece but I wish you had inherited your father’s sense of humor and wit. (Assuming, you are Shoaib’s son.)

Thanks.

Wow!

ali:

labels ka kya hay?

aap achchay insaan haiN...that is what matters ultimately...as was faiz saheb!

rgds

t

Very cool write-up. I really enjoyed the flow. Thanks.