Pakistani writer, Mr. Aftab Hussain, who fled to India in March following ``harassment'' by the military regime for publishing poems of the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, has been given 180 days extension of visa for stay in this country although he had sought political asylum.
Highly-placed sources said Mr. Hussain's visa had been extended by another six months from August 31 and concerned departments were whetting his application for asylum in the country. ``His request for asylum is under consideration and relevant papers are being scrutinised by the concerned departments,'' they said.
It was likely that the exercise would be completed by that time and a decision whether or not to allow him to stay in India be taken by then, sources added.
The Pakistani writer could not be traced for his comments but he had expressed his ``unhappiness'' over the Indian authorities decision last time and had asked them to decide on his fate as he was unable to concentrate on his work.
The 38-year old poet's miseries had started after a noted Indian poet, Mr. Jameel Akhther, who translated Mr. Vajpayee's poems into Urdu, sent a copy to him with a request for publishing it in Pakistan. ``Initially no publisher agreed to publish Mr. Vajpayee's poems in Pakistan. But as his visit to Lahore became imminent in 1999, I managed to get the book published as a goodwill gesture.''
Mr. Hussain said he was harassed by the military regime for this act to such an extent that he was left with no option but to leave the country.
The poet plans to continue his literary work in India and his first book containing his new poems titled Samundar se Pehli Mulakat (first encounter with sea) and a cassette of his Urdu ghazals would be released soon in India.
A writer in Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi, Mr. Hussain has translated a large number of poems and short stories from Hindi and other Indian languages into Urdu.
Highly-placed sources said Mr. Hussain's visa had been extended by another six months from August 31 and concerned departments were whetting his application for asylum in the country. ``His request for asylum is under consideration and relevant papers are being scrutinised by the concerned departments,'' they said.
It was likely that the exercise would be completed by that time and a decision whether or not to allow him to stay in India be taken by then, sources added.
The Pakistani writer could not be traced for his comments but he had expressed his ``unhappiness'' over the Indian authorities decision last time and had asked them to decide on his fate as he was unable to concentrate on his work.
The 38-year old poet's miseries had started after a noted Indian poet, Mr. Jameel Akhther, who translated Mr. Vajpayee's poems into Urdu, sent a copy to him with a request for publishing it in Pakistan. ``Initially no publisher agreed to publish Mr. Vajpayee's poems in Pakistan. But as his visit to Lahore became imminent in 1999, I managed to get the book published as a goodwill gesture.''
Mr. Hussain said he was harassed by the military regime for this act to such an extent that he was left with no option but to leave the country.
The poet plans to continue his literary work in India and his first book containing his new poems titled Samundar se Pehli Mulakat (first encounter with sea) and a cassette of his Urdu ghazals would be released soon in India.
A writer in Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi, Mr. Hussain has translated a large number of poems and short stories from Hindi and other Indian languages into Urdu.
Comment