Pakistani poet flees to India

Vajpayee’s book Hum Jung Nahin Hone Denge was translated in Urdu by Indian writer Jameel Akhtar who sent it across to Hussain for publishing in Pakistan. The Pakistani writer added his remarks on the blurb and the book was presented to Vajpayee and Sharif during their historic interaction at Lahore last year.

A teacher in Punjab University, Hussain said he was in the eyes of both the Sharif government and now of the military regime, for his friendly attitude towards the Indian litterateurs. He was also associated with the Pakistani daily, Jung.

Asked whether he had sought asylum from the Indian government, he said, “I have come here to breathe… To breathe in independence.”

When asked if fleeing the country was the only option left, Hussain said the other option was to give statements against Sharif, which he did not want as he strongly believed in democratic system. The writer said in Vajpayee’s visit to the country last year he had seen a ray of hope for peace in the region and his works also aimed at achieving friendship between the two countries.

The book was welcomed by the Sharif government and hailed by the people of Pakistan, he said, adding that after the present regime took charge, the intelligence officials wanted to know “why I took so much interest in getting the book published in Pakistan.”

Even repeated explanations could not satisfy the officials that the job was not handed over to him by the former Pakistan Prime minister. His house was also raided on March 4.

The family of Hussain, who travelled to India by the Samjhauta Express, is still in Pakistan. His visa, which he acquired through a friend, is valid for 90 days.