KARACHI: This is the news that lovers of Urdu literature were waiting for many a year. Distinguished journalist, travel writer and fictionist Ghazi Salahuddin`s collection of short stories titled Jeena Wada Khilafi Hai (Life is a breach of promise) hit the newsstands on Friday evening. The book has been published by Aaj Publications.

Talking to Dawn, Mr Salahuddin said, `The stories in the collection are from my early days. My first story was published in the literary magazine Adab-i-Lateef in 1956 when I was 18 years of age. The pieces penned subsequently, up until I was 24-year-old [from 1956 to1962] are contained in the book.

Apart from Adab-i-Lateef, the magazines which printed the stories include Naya Daur, Al Shuja, Hum Qalam and Saat Rang.

Giving the reason for Jeena Wada Khilafi Hai to see the light of day in 2025, decades after the stories were expected to be compiled into a book, Mr Salahuddin said, `It wasn`t my idea. It was some of my friends who suggested to me that they should be published. Also, certain things happened which made me feel that the time is right for it.

Although Mr Salahuddin is not very happy when it comes to the reading culture in Pakistan, he has a hugefan base of readers both in his country and abroad. Even those who know him better as a journalist are aware of his top-notch creative credentials.

Itis one of the reasons that he has often performed the duties of a jury member at literary festivals which picks the best novels of the year.

There are 11 short pieces in Jeena Wada Khilafi Hai beginning with the celebrated story Veeraney mein do aawazein (Wilderness and two voices) and Waqt buhat kam hai (Time is too short) being the last one. The book also has an essay by eminent novelist and media person Syed Kashif Raza on the life and works of Mr Shalahuddin. -By Peerzada Salman